I have so many photos of wildflowers, snow and ice on Bird Lake, and waterfalls from a 2 day camping trip up in the mountains Sunday night that I do not know where to start! The creeks were raging with snow melt... about 3 feet of snow has completely disappeared from the 5000 foot elevation area, and wildflowers are blooming as soon as the snow melts away...

The mosquitos (surprisingly) were not too horrible yet... give them another week or two and they will cloud the air I am betting.

Bird Creek Meadows will open as far as Mirror Lake at least by probably July 11th, over 2 weeks later than last year. THe road is drivable that far already, but the gate is still locked by this creek by the one lane bridge below BIrd Creek Falls.

As to my heart... it is sore. Today we lost one of my residents, as he ended his struggle with cancer and pneumonia. I feel as raging and full of emotion as this creek is full of water. I am happy this man Albert is no longer miserable.... but he leaves a hole in my life for certain. My boss is bringing a new resident in already tomorrow... and strangely I feel resentment at that... but life must go on. We are an Adult Care home... and although I strive to make it family, it is still a business and must pay the bills.

Albert Baard is our elderly Norwegian man, who immigrated perhaps 45 years ago to the USA from Norway.

Shine Tarot # 5 / 22

The Hierophant

When appearing upright, this card stands for = Marriage, alliance, captivity, servitude, mercy and goodness, inspiration. Intuition, psychic ability. Longing for approval. Resenting authority of others.

When appearing reversed = Dissapation, lacks faith, overly kind, weakness, indulgence. Craves sexual gratification. Unused creativity.

On the western edge of the village of Eaglesfield in the Scottish Borders lies the ancient church and churchyard of Kirkconnel. There one can find the remains of a medieval church. It is tiny; probably the remnants of a much larger building have long disappeared: the stone, fine and ready cut, having found a better future than to lie unused when the parish of Kirkconnel was amalgamated with that of Kirkpatrick Fleming in about the year of 1610

In the burial ground of Kirkconnell is the grave of Helen Irving, recognised by tradition as Fair Helen of Kirkconnell, and who is supposed to have lived in the sixteenth century. It is also the grave of her lover, Adam Fleming – a name that once predominated the district. Helen, according to the narration of Pennant (Pennant’s Tour in Scotland, 1772), “was beloved by two gentlemen at the same time. The one vowed to sacrifice the successful rival to his resentment, and watched an opportunity while the happy pair was sitting on the banks of the Kirtle, that washes these grounds. Helen perceived the desperate lover on the opposite side, and fondly thinking to save her favorite but received a wound intended for her beloved, fell and expired in his arms. He instantly revenged her death; then fled into Spain, and served for some time against the Infidels: on his return, he visited the grave of his unfortunate mistress, stretched himself on it, and expiring on the spot, was interred by her side.

In its initial years, Ohio Colonization Society (OCS) - the state branch of the American Colonization Society - supported colonization largely for racist reasons. None of the Ohio Colonization Society's early records suggest that either emancipation or black equality was an objective - although the body did, in its first meeting, express its doubts that African Americans would ever be extended citizenship rights and equality in America. The Ohio Colonization Society was guided by growing resentment that freed slaves from southern states were migrating to Ohio and contaminating the social landscape: "These miserable beings, with all the ignorance and degraded habits of thinking and acting which pertain to slavery, are flooded upon us in Ohio and Indiana." The organization manipulated the public perception that African Americans flooded into the state on a daily basis. In 1827, the organization projected that in a few years the population of blacks in Ohio would equal that of whites. The OCS believed that the high rates of black migration to Ohio inevitably would result in a black uprising: "And in the fearful event of a servile war, it would not be in the slave holding states, and among slaves that those schemes of blood and ruin would be laid and ripened into maturity, but here, where they enjoy enough of freedom to feel their chains and to encourage them in an effort to break them off, and and are not under the watchful restraints of a master." This type of propaganda fostered public hysteria about the black presence in the state, and particularly in Cincinnati, where the black population was the largest.

~ Frontiers of Freedom: Cincinnati's Black Community, 1802-1868, Nikki M. Taylor

The Bowden-Armistead House is the one house on Duke of Gloucester St. that Colonial Williamsburg does not own.

The family probably has a grudge against Williamsburg considering that Judge Andrew Bowden was a Union man during the Civil War and was put in a position of authority by the Federals who occupied the town - which led to a considerable amount of resentment and animosity towards the Bowdens.

Monument with the kneeling figures of Philip Boteler 1712 & his sister Elizabeth Neville

"In memory of Philip Boteler esq (only son a& heire of Sir John Boteler, knight, by Dame Elizabeth his wife (who was one of ye daughters & co-heires of Sir Nicholas Gould of Dosetshire), who lyes interred near this pace.

This Philip had one sister Elizabeth whose fortune he augmented very considerably upon her marriage with Grey Neville esq of ye county of Berks.

He marryed Elizabeth Crane Ettricke, one of ye two daughters & coheires of Wiliam Ettricke esq, bart, leaveing no issue;

He (out of a due regard to ye continuation of his name & family, which is of great antiquity in this country) by his will entayled ye antient seate and park called Woodhall in this parish, and his whole estate upon his cousin John Boteler esq (son of his great uncle) who is now the last branch of this antient family in the male line.

He departed this life ye seaventh day of May in ye year of our Lord 1712, and in ye 35th year of his age.

This monument was erected by his said cousin John Boteler esq in honour of his benefactor"

"Here lies Eizabeth Neville, widow, who departe this life on the 16th day of November 1740 aged 62. In hopes of a joyfull resurretion, what manner of peron she was, that day will discover"

They were the son & daughter of Sir John Boteler knight by Elizabeth daughter of Sir Nicholas Gould & Elizabeth daughter of Sir John Garrard 2nd bart of Lamer

Philip m Elizabeth coheiress daughter of William Ettricke 1716 by Elizabeth daughter of Sir Edmund Bacon 4th bart 1685 of Redgrave www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/qBoar3 and Elizabeth www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Xh8r69 daughter of Robert Crane of Chilton 1643 flic.kr/p/nD6piv (her coheiress sister Rachel died unmarried leaving her portion to her maidservant

Elizabeth m Grey Neville 1681-dsp1723 son of Richard Neville and Katherine daughter of Ralph 2nd Baron Grey of Warke and Catherine Ford; also dying childless

The heir to the a lifetime interest in the estates was cousin John Boteler. flic.kr/p/8fSRzc However the property was charged with the payment out of income of a considerable debt, pending the repayment of which John was awarded an allowance of £400 a year by a Chancery decree of 22 Feb. 1713.

He became a Whig MP for Hertford In 1715 ,

However encumbered by debts on his new property which were compounded by the collapse of the South Sea Company in 1720, John "made his retreat into foreign parts (Italy), stayed abroad ten years, and returned home in 1732"

In 1734 urged on by his friends, he was returned as MP for Wendover, but on petition the question of his property qualification was raised by his opponent, Lord Limerick. In evidence it emerged that the income of his estate was only about £100 a year more than the interest on the debt, and that since 1723 the court of Chancery had discontinued his allowance of £400 p.a. as ‘the estate could not bear it’. Though the Government supported him, the House of Commons decided by a majority of 50 that his election was void on the ground that he ‘was not duly qualified’. A new election was ordered, at which he stood again with government assistance but Lord Limerick was returned. Believing that he had been ‘shamefully and neglectfully given up by those I judged in interest bound to support me, and so of course the door of grace and favour shut against me by the grand keeper of it’, i.e. by Walpole, he printed a statement of his case, which he sent to Lady Sundon, Queen Caroline’s mistress of the robes, asking her to bring his story to the notice of the King and Queen. Later, he carried his resentment to the length of giving evidence to the secret committee on Walpole in 1742 as to the sum of £500 supplied to him from the secret service money at the Wendover by-election in 1735. He died 17 July 1774, aged 90, never having again stood for Parliament.

- Church of St Andrew & St Mary, Watton on Stone Hertfordshire

Coptic Christians in Cairo Egypt living in El Zabaleen, or garbage city. For generations families would work together to collect all the rubbish from the streets of Cairo and take it back to their homes. They then sift and sort through all the items which are then sold on to merchants. 85% of all solid waste is thus recycled from the city.

Families used to own pigs that used to eat the organic waste but everyone of them was slaughtered during 2009 during the outbreak of the H1N1 'swine' flu, even though there were no cases reported in Egypt. It was the only country that carried out a mass cull, and was also reported that it was done in an inhumane manner. This increased tension and resentment with the Government.

Ambiorix

Ambiorix was ten tijde van Julius Caesars verovering van Gallië samen met Catuvolcus koning van de Gallische stam de Eburonen, die zouden hebben geleefd "tussen Maas en Rijn", in gedeelten van het huidige Nederland en België (Kempen, Luik (provincie), beide Limburgen) en Duitsland (Roer, zijrivier van de Maas). Hij werd vanaf de 19e eeuw een mythische Belgische held vanwege zijn verzet tegen de Romeinen, zoals dat beschreven staat in Caesars Commentarii de bello Gallico. De naam Ambiorix betekent Rijke koning.

Toen in 57 v.Chr. Julius Caesar Gallië veroverde vielen zijn troepen ook Belgica binnen. (Het gebied bestreek ongeveer het huidige België en een stuk van Nederland tot aan de Rijn). Belgica werd toen bewoond door verschillende stammen die regelmatig oorlog tegen elkaar voerden. De stam der Eburonen werd geregeerd door Ambiorix en Catuvolcus, die de macht deelden als koning. In 54 v.Chr. moest Caesar zijn troepen dringend opnieuw van bevoorrading voorzien en verplichtte hij de bevolking van de streken die hij en zijn troepen veroverden een deel van hun oogst aan zijn leger af te staan. Omdat de oogst dat jaar te mager was geweest waren de Eburonen hiertoe niet bereid. Caesar liet daarop zijn soldaten kampen bouwen nabij de dorpen en gaf de kampleiders elk de opdracht het bestuur over de plaatselijke stammen over te nemen en zo de noodzakelijke voedselvoorraden in beslag te nemen. Ambiorix en zijn Eburonen waren echter niet van plan zich hierbij zomaar neer te leggen. Alhoewel Caesar Ambiorix had vrijgesteld van de betalingen, sloot Ambiorix zich in de winter van 54 v.Chr. aan bij Catuvolcus om een opstand te leiden tegen de plaatselijke Romeinse troepen.

Op een dag vielen Ambiorix en enkele van zijn mannen een groepje Romeinen aan die buiten hun kamp in de buurt van de Keutenberg hout waren gaan sprokkelen en moordden het merendeel van hen uit. De overlevende legionairs vluchtten terug naar hun kamp waarna Ambiorix de achtervolging inzette. Omdat de overmacht echter te groot bleek, besloot hij het kamp niet aan te vallen maar met de Romeinen te praten. De Eburonenkoning legde uit dat hij geen problemen had met hen en zelfs blij was met hun komst omdat zijn stam zo geen last had van andere stammen in de streek. Hij waarschuwde de kampleiders, Sabinus en Cotta echter dat deze stammen wel van plan waren hen aan te vallen en zelfs hulp zouden krijgen van hordes Germaanse stammen die de Rijn zouden oversteken. Hij raadde hun aan om naar een ander kamp te trekken om zich bij de groep soldaten die daar gelegerd waren aan te sluiten. Op die manier zouden ze sterker staan. Hij beloofde hen ook dat hij hen bij hun uittocht met rust zou laten.

Sabinus en Cotta vergaderden de hele nacht over wat ze zouden doen. Sabinus vertrouwde Ambiorix en achtte het beter om te vertrekken, terwijl Cotta liever in het kamp bleef en de aanval afwachtte. Ze raakten het maar niet eens en op zeker moment zou Sabinus met zijn vuist op tafel hebben geslagen en besloten hebben dat ze in het kamp zouden blijven, maar dat het niet zijn schuld zou zijn als ze daardoor allemaal de dood zouden vinden.

Toch was niemand in het kamp er gerust op en besloten ze 's anderendaags toch te vertrekken. De twee dichtstbijzijnde Romeinse legioenplaatsen lagen enerzijds achter heuvelachtig terrein en anderzijds achter een vlakte langs een vallei. Sabinus en Cotta besloten uit praktische overwegingen de laatste weg te volgen. Terwijl ze de vallei beneden doortrokken vielen Ambiorix en zijn manschappen hen van boven in de heuvels aan en moordden alle Romeinse militairen tot de laatste man uit. De huidige Keutenberg gelegen bij Schin op Geul is nadien genoemd naar de legerleider Cotta, die dus ook gesneuveld is in die slag.

Toen Rome en de Senaat weet kregen van deze nederlaag, zwoer Caesar alle stammen van de Belgae uit te roeien. Het was voor de Romeinen belangrijk dat de andere bezette landen van het Romeinse Rijk getoond zou worden dat het almachtige Romeinse leger niet zo makkelijk te verslaan was als het leek. Per slot van rekening was nu een volledig Romeins legioen en 5 cohorten, dat is alles tezamen zo'n 7200 soldaten, door 1 stam volledig in de pan gehakt. Ambiorix verenigde terzelfder tijd in 53 v.Chr. alle andere Belgische stammen om zich collectief tegen de Romeinen te verzetten. Na zijn overwinning voegde Ambiorix' leger zich bij de Nervische strijdmacht en belegerde Cicero's winterkamp. De strijd duurde een aantal jaar, maar tegen de negen legioenen van ongeveer 50.000 getrainde soldaten die Caesar naar Belgica stuurde waren de Belgen niet opgewassen. De stammen werden afgeslacht of verdreven en hun akkers platgebrand. Met name de Eburonen werden geviseerd en verdwenen in een genocidaire campagne uit de geschiedenis. Enkel Ambiorix wist zich met enkele van zijn manschappen over de Rijn in veiligheid te brengen, waarna hij spoorloos verdween.

Caesar schreef over Ambiorix in het verslag over zijn veldslagen tegen de Galliërs: "De Bello Gallico". In die tekst schreef hij ook de beroemde woorden: De Belgae zijn de dappersten aller Galliërs ("...Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae..."). Deze zin werd na de onafhankelijkheid van België in 1830 vaak op anachronistische wijze geciteerd als De Belgen zijn de dappersten aller Galliërs. Caesar bedoelde onder de verzamelnaam Belgae de stammen die in het toenmalige Belgica leefden, terwijl België als staat toen vanzelfsprekend nog niet bestond.

Ambiorix werd tot in de 19e eeuw vergeten. Toen België in 1830 onafhankelijk werd, besloot de Belgische regering in het nationale verleden te spitten naar historische figuren die als nationale helden konden dienen. In Caesars verslag over de Gallische oorlogen; "De Bello Gallico" stiet men op Ambiorix en zijn daden. De dichter Joannes Nolet de Brauwere van Steeland vestigde in 1841 met een lyrisch epos de aandacht op deze Ambiorix. Op 5 september 1866 werd vervolgens een standbeeld van Ambiorix opgericht op de Grote Markt van Tongeren. Er is geen zekerheid of hij ooit in Tongeren geweest is. De verwijzing van Julius Caesar in "De Bello Gallico" naar Atuatuca als de plaats waar deze feiten zich afspeelden en de oorspronkelijke naam van Tongeren (Atuatuca Tungrorum) liet vermoeden dat het hier Tongeren betrof. Om deze reden nam het Tongers Oudheidkundig Genootschap in 1860 het initiatief voor het plaatsen van een Standbeeld van Ambiorix in deze stad.

Ambiorix is tegenwoordig een van de beroemdste figuren uit de (Keltische) geschiedenis van België. Veel bedrijven, cafés en frituren hebben zich naar hem genoemd. Hij is ook in een aantal stripverhalen opgedoken. In album nr.130 van Jommeke; Het geheim van Ambiorix bijvoorbeeld. In de verhalen van Suske en Wiske blijkt Lambik een oud Belgisch stamhoofd als voorvader te hebben gehad, genaamd Lambiorix, tevens de naam van het stripalbum. En in De Krimson-crisis (1988) worden Ambiorix en zijn mannen samen met andere Vlaamse historische figuren met de teletijdmachine naar het heden geflitst om Suske en Wiske te helpen in hun strijd tegen Krimson.

In Asterix en de Belgen besluiten Asterix, Obelix, Idefix en Abraracourcix naar Belgica te gaan omdat ze gehoord hebben dat Caesar "de Belgen" dapperder vindt dan hen, de Galliërs. Het Belgische stamhoofd dat ze daar ontmoeten, Vandendomme (in de originele versie "Gueuzelambix") lijkt zelfs wat op moderne voorstellingen van Ambiorix.

In 2005 werd Ambiorix één van de 111 genomineerden voor de titel De Grootste Belg. Hij eindigde in de Waalse versie op de vijftigste en in de Vlaamse op de vierde plaats.

Het 350ste smaldeel van de Belgische luchtmacht heeft Ambiorix als mascotte.

Het is niet zeker of Ambiorix echt bestaan heeft, omdat Julius Caesars "De Bello Gallico" de enige authentieke bron is waarin zijn naam vermeld wordt en alle historici hun documentatie uitsluitend hieruit hebben geput. Dit geldt voor alle informatie over de Gallische oorlogen. Sommige historici hebben gesuggereerd dat Caesar Ambiorix mogelijk verzonnen heeft om de afslachting van zijn troepen in Gallië te kunnen verantwoorden aan Rome. Dat zou dan betekenen dat de aanval op de Romeinen in zulke korte tijd en hevigheid plaatsvond, dat Caesar en zijn officieren geen kans zagen om de commandostructuur van de tegenstander te doorgronden. Dat zou ook betekenen dat de aanval hoogstwaarschijnlijk vanuit een hinderlaag plaatsvond, mogelijk zelfs in een gebied met veel natuurlijke obstakels. Dat laatste zou dan in een bomen- of hagenrijk gebied moeten zijn. Caesar rept daar in zijn geschriften echter met geen woord over. Het benoemen (en dus verzinnen van een leider) heeft in dit geval dan het voordeel dat Caesar dan kan verbergen dat hij en zijn officieren de commandostructuur niet konden doorgronden. Menig historicus acht deze theorie hoogst onwaarschijnlijk, aangezien Caesar en zijn officieren vele getuigen (de soldaten) hadden die in samenspraak het tegendeel konden beweren en het geheel met bewijzen zouden kunnen staven. Bovendien vragen critici van bovenstaande theorie zich af hoe die 7200 soldaten dan van de aardbodem zijn verdwenen. (De bezetting van Atuatuca bestond uit één legioen en vijf cohorten. Een Romeins legioen bestond uit 10 cohorten van elk ongeveer 480 man, hieruit volgt dus dat in deze vallei een legermacht ter grootte van ongeveer 7200 manschappen werd gedood). Tevens is het een open vraag hoe Caesar uit de nederlaag van zijn troepen een praktisch voordeel had kunnen halen door er een fictieve oorzaak rond te verzinnen. Een suggestie die sommige historici als reactie op deze kritiek hebben gegeven is dat Caesar hiermee kon pronken over hoe moeilijk het was de Galliërs te verslaan, waardoor zijn definitieve overwinning nog ongelofelijker zou lijken. De vraag of Ambiorix nu werkelijk bestaan heeft, laaide in 2005 weer op toen hij genomineerd werd voor de titel van De Grootste Belg. Hoe dan ook, historici en fans van Belgische folklore gaan er over het algemeen van uit dat Ambiorix wel degelijk ooit geleefd heeft.

Niemand weet hoe Ambiorix er werkelijk uitzag. Zijn standbeeld in Tongeren is een romantische voorstelling van hoe hij eruit zou kunnen hebben gezien aan de hand van latere verslagen van Romeinse geschiedschrijvers. Uit de geschriften van Caesar kan een ondergeschikt beeld van Ambiorix' persoonlijkheid worden afgeleid. Dit omdat de stam (pagus) van Ambiorix, de Eburonen, ondergeschikt was aan de Atuatuken. De Eburonen waren zelfs schatplichtig aan de Atuatuken, hetgeen omstreeks 55 v. Chr. om nog onbekende redenen kwam te vervallen. Mogelijk is een vooralsnog onbekende, onderlinge oorlog tussen beide stammen in het voordeel van de Eburonen uitgevallen. Ook is het mogelijk dat de rijkdom van de Eburonen fors toenam door hetzij een grote vondst van kostbare grondstoffen, hetzij een landbouwkundige revolutie. Aangezien Ambiorix door Caesar in al zijn geschriften rondom de slag rond Atuaca prominent genoemd wordt, moet hij een aristocratische achtergrond hebben gehad met diepgewortelde familiebanden binnen de stam der Eburonen. Ambiorix is minimaal twee maal aanwezig geweest op een landdag die door Caesar werd georganiseerd. Ter plaatse ontving hij samen met andere Gallische leiders de fiscale instructies van de Romeinen. Het was dan de taak van de Gallische delegatie om deze eisen over te brengen op de stam en de stamoudsten. Het is daarmee allerminst zeker dat Ambiorix de bron was van een opstand, aangezien hij in deze minimaal slechts een boodschapper was.

Ambiorix (Gaulish "king in all directions") was, together with Cativolcus, prince of the Eburones, leader of a Belgic tribe of north-eastern Gaul (Gallia Belgica), where modern Belgium is located. In the nineteenth century Ambiorix became a Belgian national hero because of his resistance against Julius Caesar, as written in Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico

In 57 BC Julius Caesar conquered parts of Gaul and also Belgica (Belgium, modern-day Northern France, Luxembourg, part of present-day Netherlands below the Rhine River; and the north-western portion of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany). There were several tribes in the country who fought against each other frequently. The Eburones were ruled by Ambiorix and Catuvolcus. In 54 BC Caesar's troops urgently needed more food, and so the local tribes were forced to give up part of their harvest, which had not been good that year. Understandably the starving Eburones were reluctant to do so and Caesar ordered that camps be built near the Eburones' villages. Each centurion was ordered to make sure the food supplies were delivered to the Roman soldiers. This created resentment among the Eburones.

Although Julius Caesar had freed him from paying tribute to the Atuatuci, Ambiorix joined Catuvolcus in the winter of 54 BC in an uprising against the Roman forces under Q. Titurius Sabinus and L. Aurunculeius Cotta.

Because a drought had disrupted his grain supply, Caesar was forced to winter his legions among the rebellious Belgic tribes. Roman troops led by Q. Titurius Sabinus and L. Aurunculeius Cotta were wintering among the Eburones when they were attacked by them, led by Ambiorix and Cativolcus. Ambiorix deceived the Romans, telling them the attack was made without his consent, and further advised them to flee as a large Germanic force was preparing to cross the Rhine. Trusting Ambiorix, Sabinus and Cotta's troops left the next morning. A short distance from their camp, the Roman troops were ambushed by the Eburones and massacred.

Elsewhere, another Roman force under Q. Tullius Cicero, brother of the orator Marcus, were wintering amongst the Nervii. Leading a coalition of rebellious Belgic tribes, Ambiorix surrounded Cicero's camp. After a long while, a Roman messenger was finally able to slip through the Belgic lines and get word of the uprising to Caesar. Mobilizing his legions, Caesar immediately marched to Cicero's aid. As they approached the besieged Roman camp, the Belgae moved to engage Caesar's troops. Vastly outnumbered, Caesar ordered his troops to appear confused and frightened, and they successfully lured the Belgae to attack them on ground favourable to the Romans. Caesar's forces launched a fierce counterattack, and soon put the Belgae to flight. Later, Caesar's troops entered Cicero's camp to find most of the men wounded.

Meanwhile, Indutiomarus, a leader of the Treveri, began to harass Labienus's camp daily, eventually provoking Labienus to send out his cavalry with specific orders to kill Indutiomarus. They did so, and routed the remnants of Indutiomarus's army. Caesar personally remained in Gaul for the remainder of winter due to the renewed Gallic threat.

When the Roman senate heard what had happened, Caesar swore to put down all the Belgic tribes. Ambiorix had killed a whole Roman legion and five cohorts. A Belgic attack on Q. Tullius Cicero, then stationed with a legion in the territory of the Nervii, failed due to the timely appearance of Caesar. The Roman campaigns against the Belgae took a few years, but eventually the tribes were slaughtered or driven out and their fields burned. The Eburones disappeared from history after this genocidal event. According to the writer Florus, Ambiorix and his men succeeded in crossing the Rhine and disappeared without a trace.

Caesar wrote about Ambiorix in his commentary about his battles against the Gauls, De Bello Gallico. In this text he also wrote the famous line: "Of these [three regions], the Belgae are the bravest." ("... Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae ...").

Ambiorix remained a relatively obscure figure until the nineteenth century. When Belgium became independent in 1830 the national government started searching through their historical archives for people who could serve as national heroes. In Caesar's De Bello Gallico, Ambiorix and his deeds were rediscovered. In 1841 the Belgian poet Joannes Nolet de Brauwere Van Steeland wrote a lyrical epic about Ambiorix and on September 5, 1866 a statue of Ambiorix was erected on the main market square in Tongeren, Belgium, referred to by Caesar as Atuatuca, i.e. Atuatuca Tungrorum.

Today, Ambiorix is one of the most famous characters in Belgian history. Many companies, bars and friteries have named themselves after him, and in many Belgian comics such as Suske en Wiske and Jommeke he plays a guest role. There was also a short-lived comic called Ambionix, which featured a scientist teleporting a Belgic chief, loosely based on Ambiorix, to modern-day Belgium.

In the French comic Asterix, in the album Asterix in Belgium, Asterix, Obelix, Dogmatix and Vitalstatistix go to Belgium because they are angry with Caesar about his remark that the Belgians are the bravest of all the Gauls.

"Carved white marble bust of Prince Leopold with a moustache and small goatee beard; wearing a uniform with a tartan sash over his left shoulder; a row of medals and the Stars of the Thistle and Garter on his chest, with a neck order; on a marble plinth." Royal Collection Trust website. Leopold suffered from haemophilia and went to the south of France on doctor's orders in February, 1884. He died a month later of a cerebral haemorrhage.

28th March 1884 Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany died.

"While we were sitting together, there came a telegram from Mr Royle, saying Leopold had hurt his knee. Just when he was to start home tomorrow. Too unfortunate!"

- Victoria’s diary, 27th March 1884

"Another awful blow has fallen upon me & all of us today. My beloved Leopold, that bright, clever son, who had so many times recovered from such fearful illness, & from various small accidents, has been taken from us! To lose another dear child, far from me, & one who was so gifted, & such a help to me, is too dreadful! — Beatrice was not well, & could not breakfast with me. Was expecting to hear about dear Leopold’s leg. — […]

Directly afterwards received a letter addressed by Horatia S., saying nothing, but enclosing a note from Sir H. Ponsonby, who had received a telegram from Cannes with the news that dear Leopold was ‘worse’ indeed ‘seriously ill’. I sent for Horatia, who said there was another cypher come. I told her to bring it in at once, & felt in an agony of suspense. She directly returned with the cypher from Mr Royle, saying, he with extreme regret, had to announce that my darling Leopold had died at 3.30. this morning, quite suddenly in his sleep, from the breaking of a blood vessel in the head. It is too awful, so heartbreaking! Today he was to have left Cannes, but the unfortunate sprain would have kept him a fortnight or 3 weeks longer there. Horatia told me he was ‘at rest’, when I asked if all was over. Am utterly crushed.

How dear he was to me, how I had watched over him! Oh! what grief, & that poor loving young wife, who has been kept on her sofa, more or less since the middle of January, for fear of any accident, how may this news affect her! Too, too dreadful! But we must bow to God’s will & believe that it is surely for the best. The poor dear Boy’s life had been a very tried one, from early childhood! He was such a dear charming companion, so entirely the ‘Child of the House’. I ran off to darling Beatrice, who was resting in her own little room, & it was terrible to have to tell her the news, for she loved that brother so dearly.

We were in such distress about poor Helen. Fortunately Lenchen settled to go to Claremont this morning, so Beatrice telegraphed to her, & we sent off endless telegrams to all relations & friends. The whole house is in consternation. Darling Leopold was so generally beloved! — Saw Sir Wm Jenner, who was dreadfully shocked. — Heard that poor Lenchen had to break the dreadful news to Helen. A preparatory telegram had been put into Lenchen’s hands, whilst she was lunching with them all, Helen playing with the child! But Lenchen managed to control herself & wait till Helen got up from luncheon. She then went with her to her sitting room, where she began gradually to turn the conversation on darling Leopold, & said she feared he was very ill, upon which Helen asked her to tell her the truth, which she did. Poor dear Helen was greatly overcome, but quite quiet & natural. It was piteous to see her, for she was so good & patient. Such a tragedy, for they were so happy & devoted to one another! —

The dear Empress came over to enquire after me, but did not wish to disturb me & went to Beatrice. I hastened there to see her for a moment. She was so kind, so full of feeling, very much shocked & upset, as she loved dear Leopold (who was so popular) & felt so much for me, Helen, & Beatrice. She had come off at once, just as she was, when she heard the news. — I went back to rest a little, feeling stunned, bewildered & wretched. Poor dear Beatrice feels it most deeply. She & her dear brother, had grown up together, & since Louise married, were always so much together, when he was at home. I am a poor desolate old woman, & my cup of sorrow overflows! Oh! God in His mercy, spare my other dear children! — Saw Mlle Norèle, whom I had sent to Claremont, & she gave us some further details. She saw poor dear Helen, who was too touching. At first she could see no one, not even the child, but afterwards she did see her. Poor Mr Collins was in terrible distress, & so were all the servants."

- 28th March

"He went to Cannes (a warm climate) on doctor’s orders to ease joint pain (a common malady with hemophiliacs) that was often brought on by the winters in the UK. Helen planned to go too, but pregnant with their second child, required bed rest. She urged Leopold to go (which he did on February 21), and they wrote each other every day. In his last letter (written before he fell asleep on March 27) he asked her to join him if she could. Helen, who knew of his fall, was arranging to send Alice (their toddler daugther) to keep her father company when she received word the next afternoon.

Leopold had ‘cheated death so many times,’ yet sadly not this last time. Sources speculate that the Prince died from the effects of morphine (administered to dull his pain) combined with a glass of claret (he was served with his dinner). Other sources say that by falling, he ruptured small veins in his head causing a cerebral haemorrhage, but the exact cause of death remains unclear. He had hurt his knee at 3:30 pm; was given morphine a couple of times in the evening. At about 2:00 am he had a seizure and died. Just 30 years old … a promising life cut tragically short. Robert Hawthorne Collins, a former tutor and close friend, wrote: ‘May we meet that gentle, loving boy again! I can think of nothing more joyful in the hereafter.’

Always aware of his mortality, Prince Leopold had a ‘thirst for life.’ When he befriended individuals he wanted to introduce them to all the people and places he loved. You can’t help being charmed by him, rooting for him and having your heart broken by how much he had to overcome. Most of all, he is inspiring. Not always a healthy man, but a positive and kind person, who persevered to live a full life."

Lord Brooke, the future Earl of Warwick and husband of 'Daisy', was a friend of Prince Leopold from their days at Oxford until the Prince's death.

From: Memories of Sixty Years - Francis Greville, 5th Earl of Warwick.

“I have said that Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, was one of my best friends at Oxford ; we only once had a slight difference. He used to come often to my rooms, and in my bedroom there was a large shower-bath that used to serve for my morning tub. The Greville Memoirs were published during my Oxford days, and I may whisper the truth that they gave a certain measure of offence in Royal circles. On this account the books had not been well received. Prince Leopold came to my rooms one evening and chanced to see the Memoirs on the table.- Without a word he rushed with them into my bedroom, pulled the string of the shower- bath, and gave the books a ducking that ruined them. I was not very pleased. “

“My friend. Prince Leopold of Albany, was lying ill at Balmoral, and expressed a wish that I might be sent for to bear him company. So I was commanded to the Queen's beautiful Highland home, and on alighting at the station was met and driven to the Castle, arriving about 9 p.m. There I was shown up at once to Prince Leopold's room, and found Queen Victoria by his bedside. She greeted me most kindly, and expressed the hope that as soon as I had had some supper I would come to the ball-room, as this was the night of the gillies' ball. I said I should be delighted, and having changed and supped I went to the dance. There was a large assemblage present, most of the men wearing the kilt, and the Queen looked on with motherly interest. About midnight the great John Brown appeared, bearing a salver with glasses of toddy. He presented it to Her Majesty, who graciously refused ; as he did so he remarked, sotto voce, that it was time for those who move in the most exalted circles to go to bed. Her Majesty retired, and we danced into the morning.

Another incident of the visit recurs to me as I write.......Suddenly along the road leading to the front of the Castle we met a strange procession. First came royal carriages with the Queen and the Royal Princesses, following them some hundreds of retainers, all carrying torches, and two brakes full of stablemen dressed up as witches, and some dummy figures stuffed with straw and sawdust also to represent witches. Arrived before the Castle, the Queen alighted, and the procession halted until Her Majesty could be seen at a window on the first floor. Then the procession deployed, and made for a great pile of wood heaped up on the gravel. Torches were plunged into it, the mass was fired, the dummy witches were forked on to the flames, the "live witche " ran screaming away, to be caught another year, I was told, and finally there was a fine dance in the open."

"In the case of her youngest son Prince Leopold there was an element of tragedy. He had inherited the disease known as haemophilia or bleeding, so that the slightest little accident, slip or bruise prostrated him for some time. He was generally intelligent but had no particular talents. The Queen’s attitude towards him was one of apparent solicitude in his constant ever recurring illnesses, combined with thwarting and interfering with him when he was well. In 1877 when there was special anxiety about his health she was sympathetic so long as it gave her an excuse for remaining at Balmoral. But when the delay she considered had been long enough then she said: “He must be well enough to travel.” The question continually cropped up as to what he should do. The Queen wrote to her Private Secretary from Osborne, February 21, 1877 :

“Prince Leopold has been working very steadily. The Queen will send boxes down & Gen.Ponsonby will select what is of interest for Leopold to read & make abstracts of. He is getting much quicker at it.”

He took an intelligent interest in foreign affairs but was unfortunate and indeed became mischievous in some of his interferences in politics. So when the Queen told Ponsonby to give him work, he really did not know what to do because the Prince had no powers of concentration or of mastering any subject. But when Leopold wanted to do something himself he was often prevented. The Queen stopped him from being a captain of Volunteers in 1872 although the Prince of Wales was in favour of it. When in 1875 he agreed to receive the Freedom of the City, she wrote at once to the Lord Mayor to cancel the invitation. In 1883 the question arose as to whether Prince Leopold’s desire to go to Canada should be acceded to. Lord Granville wrote expressing doubt but asking what the Queen’s view was. Ponsonby telegraphed back : “ At first surprised and dead against it somewhat more softened now but by no means advocating it and stands entirely aloof”. Even in his private affairs, when the Prince wanted to shoot or to go about socially and have some fun, the Queen’s supervision stopped it. Sir Thomas Biddulph’s assistance was enlisted to lecture him. To this Sir Thomas very much objected. In June 1878 Ponsonby writes :

“It is awkward talking to Leopold in the sense the Queen wishes as I do not in the least agree with her. She has laid down absolute rules for what he is to do, coming such a day and going such a day never to dine out or to go to a club - to come to Osborne in July and leave it the day the - Regatta begins and all in that strain. I cannot support such a system and for one thing know it is useless to try it on. Will the Queen never find out that she will have ten times more influence on her children by treating them with kindness and not trying to rule them like a despot?”

That Leopold chafed under this treatment is not to be wondered at. He must have cursed the illness which tied him by a chain to his mother. In 1882 as Duke of Albany he married Princess Helen of Waldeck and Pyrmont, a sister of the Queen of Holland. She is the single instance quoted in the letters of a member of the family who refused to write to the Queen when there was any trouble, refused to send messages through an intermediary and insisted on confronting her face to face In one quoted instance the interview must have been lively as after it the Duchess of Albany did not appear at the Queen’s table but dined alone with her husband. When the Duke of Albany died in 1884 there was a great outpouring of grief and lamentation, in which can be detected the note of resentment at having another of her children taken from her. "

From: Henry Ponsonby His Life From His Letters - Arthur Ponsonby [1943]

On September 1, 1922, Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont, Duchess of Albany, wife of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, died in Hinterris, Tyrol, Austria. At her request she was buried in the beautiful countryside of Hinteriss.

Clinton comes home to Wellesley

Senator reaches out to nation's young women in an emotional return

Clinton says Wellesley taught her to compete

Nov. 1: Speaking at her all-female alma mater, Hillary Clinton says, Wellesley College taught her to compete “in the all-boys club of presidential politics."

The ‘woman’ card?

Nov. 2: Hillary Clinton supporters say male candidates are not just attacking her as frontrunner. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.

By Elisabeth Bumiller

updated 8:17 a.m. ET, Fri., Nov. 2, 2007

WELLESLEY, Mass. - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton reached out to the nation’s young women in an emotional return on Thursday to her alma mater, Wellesley College, where she told students who had started lining up at 6 a.m. to see her that “in so many ways this all-women’s college prepared me to compete in the all-boys’ club of presidential politics.”

It was Mrs. Clinton’s first visit to the school as a presidential candidate, and she chose it as the place to set out on an ambitious drive to attract more women to what she is underscoring as her historic candidacy. Mrs. Clinton’s campaign is increasingly counting on women, who made up 54 percent of the electorate in 2004, to help propel her into the White House.

Mrs. Clinton, of New York, made no mention of her opponents’ attacks on her in the Democratic presidential debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, or of “The Politics of Pile-on” video with clips from the debate that is now playing on her Web site. But her campaign condemned her rivals’ actions in a new fund-raising appeal sent out on Thursday.

The theme of Mrs. Clinton’s remarks at Wellesley was that women have always had to fight discrimination in career advancement, and still do.

“So let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work together,” she told the cheering, standing-room-only crowd of more than 1,000 women and a smattering of men in Alumnae Hall at Wellesley, which is one of the historically all-women colleges known as the Seven Sisters and is still limited to female students. “We’re ready to shatter that highest glass ceiling.”

Favored by more women than men

Although Mrs. Clinton’s own polls over the years show that she has inspired ambivalence, resentment and even loathing among women, she was twice elected to the Senate with big support from them and recent polls show she is viewed more favorably by women than by men. A CBS News poll conducted in mid-October showed that 45 percent of women viewed her favorably, compared with 40 percent of men. Among 18- to 44-year-old women, Mrs. Clinton was viewed favorably by 47 percent.

Her Wellesley speech was the kickoff of “Students for Hillary” and a Web site, hillblazers.com, to mobilize support for her on campuses across the country. They are part of a Clinton campaign effort to show that Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, Mrs. Clinton’s closest Democratic opponent and a favorite on college campuses, does not have a lock on the youth vote. They are also seeking to portray her journey to become president as being as inspiring as his.

Many of the Wellesley women in the audience wore T-shirts that proclaimed, “I can be president, too.”

Mrs. Clinton described her four undergraduate years here in the late 1960s as among the most “exhilarating and formative” of her life, but added that “when I came to Wellesley, I never in a million years could have imagined I would one day return as a candidate for the presidency of the United States.” She emphasized that “back then, women weren’t always taken seriously.”

Mrs. Clinton recounted how she had been admitted to both Harvard and Yale Law Schools and was at a Harvard cocktail reception for prospective students when she was introduced to a famous law school professor.

“One of my friends said, ‘Professor So-and-So, this is Hillary Rodham, she’s trying to decide between us and our nearest competitor,’” Mrs. Clinton said. “And he looked down at me, and he said: ‘Well, first, we don’t have a nearest competitor. And secondly, we don’t need any more women.’”

There were loud gasps from the audience.

“So,” Mrs. Clinton said when the gasps had died down, “I decided to go to Yale.” The crowd broke into laughter and applause.

Not all stalwart supporters

Although Mrs. Clinton was treated to a triumphal welcome as Wellesley’s most famous graduate, and students said much if not most of the campus was pro-Clinton, not everyone in the crowd was a stalwart supporter. Many waiting to enter Alumnae Hall in the long line that snaked under the yellow autumn leaves along College Road said they supported Mr. Obama or were undecided.

“You also want to consider, is she the right woman to be the first woman president?” said Savanna Johnson, 21, a Wellesley junior from Bloomington, Ind., who described herself as undecided.

But many others said Mrs. Clinton’s words had inspired them. “Hillary made me cry, just hearing her talk about women’s rights and how you can do anything if you put your mind to it,” said Michelle Lieberman, 22, a science student from New York who transferred to Wellesley from Dartmouth. In the coed environment of Dartmouth, Ms. Lieberman said, “it was very difficult for me to feel in science class that I was heard.”

In returning to Wellesley, Mrs. Clinton was revisiting the site of a well-known speech, her 1969 commencement address in which she chastised another commencement speaker, Edward W. Brooke, then a Republican senator from Massachusetts, for being out of touch.

“When I go back and read it today, I have to admit it wasn’t the world’s most coherent address,” Mrs. Clinton said.

Megan Thee contributed reporting.

Rocinha slum - favela - , Río de Janeiro, Brazil. An agency arranges tours of the favelas and spends part of the gains is on charity in the favelas, mostly on building schools. This means that you're actually welcome - even though some of the young men, reasonably enough, showed signs of resentment.

An ethnic muslim resident of Little London leaves Lovell Park Towers with her baby daughter.

Ethnic residents/asylum seekers, often Somalian, in inner-city areas such as Little London and Lincoln Green/Burmantofts are an increasingly controversial matter.

Resentment mostly comes from U.K. Residents unable to find council accomodation for themselves because preferrence is given elsewhere. This is just one such thing political parties like the BNP seize upon.

However there can be no doubt that these members of the Leeds Islamic Community are among the most pleasant and welcoming people to greet you within the street. A quality now distinctly lacking in many Leeds residents.

Still in Frankfurt. Slowly it becomes darker and uncomfortable. I thought about going inside a building, for example the great shopping center behind me, when I saw a young man, who aroused my interest.

He had earphones in his ears, but when I spoke to him, he stopped and listened to me. As it turned out, my conversation partner did not understand so well German, so I explained everything again in English. And it worked. So here I got to know Faisal.

Faisal liked the project and did not hesitate for a second. First we took the photos. Again, in front of the green fence. Relaxed posed Faisal in front of my camera.

Afterwards, I was curious about Faisal's story. A relaxed, interesting conversation developed.

Faisal comes from Mauritius and has been living in Germany for two years. In Mauritius, Faisal was a television presenter. Here in Germany Faisal works in the social field. He takes care of immigrants and refugees and is a translator of languages such as Morisyen (the main language in Mauritius), Hindi, French, Arabic ... into English.

Faisal is also very active in the LGBT community. LGBT is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The initialism LGBT is intended to emphasize a diversity of sexuality and gender identity-based cultures. There Faisal also helps where he can, with his know-how.

What was your biggest challenge, I asked. That was my coming-out, he replied. It is really not easy to live in Mauritius as a gay. In this regard, it is easier in Germany, although there are too many prejudices and resentments. I had to hook up, of course. Faisal reports that his landlord terminated the apartment because of his sexual orientation and because of his skin color. (I must confess, at this point I am ashamed so much of "my" compatriots here in Germany!)

Nevertheless, I am glad to be able to live in Germany now, said Faisal.

How would you describe yourself, I asked Faisal. "I am friendly, down to earth, and at home everywhere."

What bothers you the most? "I hate racism and intolerance."

What makes you most happy? "Working in the LGBT community and helping other people. In addition, I have found my love here and married my partner."

Ending a conversation with a positive thought is not wrong. As it became more and more uncomfortable, cold and stormy, I did not want to take the patience of Faisal any longer.

I thanked Faisal for the time he gave me and my project. I handed out my card, we shook hands, and wished each other success in our projects.

Again from this point: I wish you all the best, much fulfillment in your work and, if possible, no encounters with intolerant, racist and stupid people.

Thanks for this pleasant, friendly and open conversation. I am really glad, Faisal, to have spoken to you.

This is my 37th post to the group "The Human Family". Visit "The Human Family" here and have a look on the photos of the other photographers:

www.flickr.com/groups/thehumanfamily/

……………………………………..

Immer noch in Frankfurt. Langsam wird es dunkler und ungemütlich. Ich hatte gerade überlegt, ob ich nicht lieber in ein Gebäude, z.B. das große Einkaufszentrum, gehen sollte, als ich einen jungen Mann sah, der mein Interesse erweckte. Er hatte zwar Kopfhörer in den Ohren, aber als ich ihn ansprach, blieb er stehen und hörte mir zu. Wie sich herausstellte, verstand mein Gesprächspartner nicht so gut Deutsch, also erklärte ich alles nochmal auf Englisch. Hier lernte ich also Faisal kennen.

Faisal gefiel das Projekt und zögerte keine Sekunde mitzumachen. Zuerst machten wir die Fotos. Wieder vor dem grünen Zaun, hinter dem eine reisige Baustelle war. Relaxed posierte Faisal vor meiner Kamera.

Anschließend war ich auf die Geschichte von Faisal neugierig. Es entwickelte sich ein entspanntes, interessantes Gespräch.

Faisal kommt von Mauritius und lebt seit zwei Jahren in Deutschland. Auf Mauritius war Faisal Fernsehmoderator. Hier in Deutschland arbeitet Faisal im sozialen Bereich. Er kümmert sich um Einwanderer und ist Übersetzter von Sprachen wie Morisyen (die Hauptsprache auf Mauritius), Hindi, französisch, arabisch … in das Englische.

Faisal ist auch sehr aktiv in der LGBT-Community. LGBT ist eine aus dem englischen Sprachraum kommende Abkürzung für Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual und Transgender, also Lesben, Schwule, Bisexuelle und Transgender. Die Community LGBT soll die Vielfalt von Sexualität und Gender Identity-basierten Kulturen hervorheben. Auch dort hilft er, wo er kann, mit seinem know-how.

Was war deine größte Herausforderung, fragte ich. Das war mein coming- out, antwortete er. Es ist auch nicht einfach, auf Mauritius als Schwuler zu leben. In dieser Hinsicht ist es in Deutschland einfacher, obwohl es (leider!!!) auch hier noch viel zu viele Vorurteile und Ressentiments gibt. Ich musste da natürlich nachhaken. Faisal berichtet, dass sein Vermieter ihm die Wohnung kündigte wegen seiner sexuellen Orientierung und wegen seiner Hautfarbe. (Ich muss gestehen, an dieser Stelle schäme ich mich für "meine" Landsleute; es ist wirklich ein Trauerspiel, wie viele Idioten es auch hier bei uns in Deutschland gibt!)

Trotzdem ich Faisal froh, jetzt in Deutschland leben zu können.

Wie würdest du dich beschreiben, fragte ich Faisal. "Ich bin freundlich, geerdet und überall zuhause."

Was stört dich am meisten? "Ich hasse Rassismus und Intoleranz."

Was macht dir am meisten Freude? "Die Arbeit in der LGBT-Community und anderen Menschen helfen. Darüber hinaus habe ich meine Liebe gefunden und meinen Partner geheiratet."

Ein Gespräch mit einem positiven Gedanken zu beenden, ist nicht falsch. Da es hier draußen immer ungemütlicher, kalt und stürmischer wurde, wollte ich auch die Geduld von Faisal nicht weiter in Anspruch nehmen.

Ich bedankte mich für die Zeit, die Faisal mir und meinem Projekt geschenkt hat. Ich gab Faisal meine Karte, wir schüttelten die Hände und wünschten uns gegenseitig viel Erfolg.

Nochmals von dieser Stelle: Ich wünsche dir alles Gute, viel Erfüllung bei deiner Arbeit und möglichst wenig Begegnungen mit intoleranten, rassistischen und verbohrten Menschen.

Danke für dieses angenehme, freunschaftliche und offene Gespräch. Ich bin wirklich froh, Faisal, dich angesprochen zu haben.

Dies ist mein 37. Beitrag zu der Gruppe "The Human Family". Mehr Fotos von anderen Fotografen der Gruppe findest Du hier:

www.flickr.com/groups/thehumanfamily/

Robert favourite all time record

Final Cut

Pink Floyd

The Thames Path Rotherhithe Street London.

During our conversation I asked Robert if he was from Bermondsey 'Nah I'm Rotherhithe born and bred' it was as if I'd asked him if he was the moon, he then went on the tell me there is a line on the ground that marks where Rotherhithe stops and Bermondsey starts - they are quite near each other - but far enough apart for there to be a difference for people. I asked which was the best pub in the area and he told me it the Angel a lovely old London pub right on the river but not exactly on the tourist map. Because of it's link to a manor house built for Edward III (c1350) whose ruins lay near by the lottery fund donated a large sum of money to repair the balcony of the pub. There was a great view of the Thames where I took the photographs and Robert talked of the days when he worked on the river as everybody from the area would have done, he had 5 different jobs within the same amount of days, but now the Thames at this point of the river is very quiet apart from the pleasure boats. 'There's no work here now Thatcher saw to that' Robert said as he stared out to the river with sadness in his eyes and anger in his voice. We discussed the resentment between the dockers from the two sides of the river because of an embargo that took place over 50 years ago.

Considering Robert was off to the Angel and 'they'll be wondering where I've got to' he was very patient with my requests for photographs which was great.

I later read that Captain Cook prepared for his trip to Australia in the Angel and the captain of the Mayflower Christopher Jones is said to have hired his crew in the same pub and Samuel Pepys is said to have drunk there - but he seems to have drunk in most pubs in London.

www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/

© All rights reserved please do not use on any other websites or blogs without my explicit permission.

Rocinha slum - favela - , Río de Janeiro, Brazil. An agency arranges tours of the favelas and spends part of the gains is on charity in the favelas, mostly on building schools. This means that you're actually welcome - even though some of the young men, reasonably enough, showed signs of resentment.

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan or Wat Arun ("Temple of Dawn") is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruṇa, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks. The first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence. Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spire) was built in the early nineteenth century during the reigns of Rama II and Rama III.

A Buddhist temple had existed at the site of Wat Arun since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was then known as Wat Makok, after the village of Bang Makok in which it was built. (Makok is the Thai name for the Spondias pinnata plant.) According to the historian Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the temple was shown in French maps during the reign of Narai (1656–88). The temple was renamed Wat Chaeng by Taksin (1767–82) when he established his new capital of Thonburi near the temple, following the fall of Ayutthaya. It is believed that Taksin vowed to restore the temple after passing it at dawn. The temple enshrined the Emerald Buddha image before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew on the river's eastern bank in 1784. The temple was on the grounds of the royal palace during Taksin's reign, before his successor, Rama I (1782–1809), moved the palace to the other side of the river. It was abandoned until the reign of Rama II (1809–24), who had the temple restored and had begun plans to raise the main pagoda to 70 m. The work on the pagoda commenced during the reign of Rama III (1824–51). The main prang was completed in 1851, after nine years of continued construction.

The temple underwent major restorations during the reign of Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868–1910) and in 1980, prior to the bicentenary celebration of Bangkok's foundation. The most extensive restoration work on the prang was undertaken from 2013 to 2017, during which a substantial number of broken tiles were replaced and lime plaster was used to re-finish many of the surfaces (replacing the cement used during earlier restorations). As the work neared its end in 2017, photographs of the results drew some criticism for the temple's new appearance, which seemed white-washed compared to its previous state. The Fine Arts Department defended the work, stating that it was carefully done to reflect the temple's original appearance.

The main feature of Wat Arun is its central prang, which is encrusted with colourful porcelain. This is interpreted as a stupa-like pagoda encrusted with coloured faience. The height is reported by different sources as between 66.8 m (219 ft) and 86 m (282 ft). The corners are surrounded by four smaller satellite prang. The prang are decorated by shells of Mauritia mauritiana and bits of porcelain, which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.

The central prang is topped with a seven-pronged trident, referred to by many sources as the "Trident of Shiva". Around the base of the prang are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan. In Buddhist iconography, the central prang is considered to have three symbolic levels—base for Traiphum indicating all realms of existence, middle for Tavatimsa, the Tusita Heaven where all desires are gratified, and the top denoting Devaphum indicating six heavens within seven realms of happiness. At the riverside are six pavilions (sala) in the Chinese style. The pavilions are made of green granite and contain landing bridges.

Next to the prang is the Ordination Hall with a Niramitr Buddha image supposedly designed by Rama II. The front entrance of the Ordination Hall has a roof with a central spire, decorated in coloured ceramic and stuccowork sheathed in coloured china. Inside, there is a grand altar with a red, grey and white marble decoration. There are two demons, or temple guardian figures, in front. The murals were created during the reign of Rama V.

The central prang symbolises Mount Meru of the Hindu cosmology. The satellite prang are devoted to the wind god, Phra Phai. The demons (yaksha) at the entranceway to the ubosot are from the Ramakien. The white figure is named Sahassa Deja and the green one is known as Thotsakan, the Demon Rāvana from Ramayana.

Wat Arun can be accessed through the Chao Phraya River, and ferries travel across the river towards the Maharaj pier. For foreigners, the temple charges an entrance fee of 100 baht (as of January 2021). During Kathina, the king travels to Wat Arun in a procession of royal barges to present new robes to the monks there.

Bangkok, officially known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estimated population of 10.539 million as of 2020, 15.3 percent of the country's population. Over 14 million people (22.2 percent) lived within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region at the 2010 census, making Bangkok an extreme primate city, dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in both size and importance to the national economy.

Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew and became the site of two capital cities, Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Bangkok was at the heart of the modernization of Siam, later renamed Thailand, during the late-19th century, as the country faced pressures from the West. The city was at the centre of Thailand's political struggles throughout the 20th century, as the country abolished absolute monarchy, adopted constitutional rule, and underwent numerous coups and several uprisings. The city, incorporated as a special administrative area under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in 1972, grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s and now exerts a significant impact on Thailand's politics, economy, education, media and modern society.

The Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. The city is now a regional force in finance and business. It is an international hub for transport and health care, and has emerged as a centre for the arts, fashion, and entertainment. The city is known for its street life and cultural landmarks, as well as its red-light districts. The Grand Palace and Buddhist temples including Wat Arun and Wat Pho stand in contrast with other tourist attractions such as the nightlife scenes of Khaosan Road and Patpong. Bangkok is among the world's top tourist destinations, and has been named the world's most visited city consistently in several international rankings.

Bangkok's rapid growth coupled with little urban planning has resulted in a haphazard cityscape and inadequate infrastructure. Despite an extensive expressway network, an inadequate road network and substantial private car usage have led to chronic and crippling traffic congestion, which caused severe air pollution in the 1990s. The city has since turned to public transport in an attempt to solve the problem, operating eight urban rail lines and building other public transit, but congestion still remains a prevalent issue. The city faces long-term environmental threats such as sea level rise due to climate change.

The history of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, dates at least to the early 15th century, when it was under the rule of Ayutthaya. Due to its strategic location near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, the town gradually increased in importance, and after the fall of Ayutthaya King Taksin established his new capital of Thonburi there, on the river's west bank. King Phutthayotfa Chulalok, who succeeded Taksin, moved the capital to the eastern bank in 1782, to which the city dates its foundation under its current Thai name, "Krung Thep Maha Nakhon". Bangkok has since undergone tremendous changes, growing rapidly, especially in the second half of the 20th century, to become the primate city of Thailand. It was the centre of Siam's modernization in the late 19th century, subjected to Allied bombing during the Second World War, and has long been the modern nation's central political stage, with numerous uprisings and coups d'état having taken place on its streets throughout the years.

It is not known exactly when the area which is now Bangkok was first settled. It probably originated as a small farming and trading community, situated in a meander of the Chao Phraya River within the mandala of Ayutthaya's influence. The town had become an important customs outpost by as early as the 15th century; the title of its customs official is given as Nai Phra Khanon Thonburi (Thai: นายพระขนอนทณบุรี) in a document from the reign of Ayutthayan king Chao Sam Phraya (1424–1448). The name also appears in the 1805 revised code of laws known as the Law of Three Seals.

At the time, the Chao Phraya flowed through what are now the Bangkok Noi and Bangkok Yai canals, forming a large loop in which lay the town. In the reign of King Chairacha (either in 1538 or 1542), a waterway was excavated, bypassing the loop and shortening the route for ships sailing up to Ayutthaya. The flow of the river has since changed to follow the new waterway, dividing the town and making the western part an island. This geographical feature may have given the town the name Bang Ko (บางเกาะ), meaning 'island village', which later became Bangkok (บางกอก, pronounced in Thai as [bāːŋ kɔ̀ːk]). Another theory regarding the origin of the name speculates that it is shortened from Bang Makok (บางมะกอก), makok being the name of Spondias pinnata, a plant bearing olive-like fruit. This is supported by the fact that Wat Arun, a historic temple in the area, used to be named Wat Makok. Specific mention of the town was first made in the royal chronicles from the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat (1548–1568), giving its name as Thonburi Si Mahasamut (ธนบุรีศรีมหาสมุทร). Bangkok was probably a colloquial name, albeit one widely adopted by foreign visitors.

The importance of Bangkok/Thonburi increased with the amount of Ayutthaya's maritime trade. Dutch records noted that ships passing through Bangkok were required to declare their goods and number of passengers, as well as pay customs duties. Ships' cannons would be confiscated and held there before they were allowed to proceed upriver to Ayutthaya. An early English language account is that of Adam Denton, who arrived aboard the Globe, an East India Company merchantman bearing a letter from King James I, which arrived in "the Road of Syam" (Pak Nam) on 15 August 1612, where the port officer of Bangkok attended to the ship. Denton's account mentions that he and his companions journeyed "up the river some twenty miles to a town called Bancope, where we were well received, and further 100 miles to the city...."

Ayutthaya's maritime trade was at its height during the reign of King Narai (1656–1688). Recognition of the city's strategic location guarding the water passage to Ayutthaya lead to expansion of the military presence there. A fort of Western design was constructed on the east side of the river around 1685–1687 under the supervision of French engineer de la Mare, probably replacing an earlier structure, while plans to rebuild the fort on the west bank were also made. De la Mare had arrived with the French embassy of Chevalier de Chaumont, and remained in Siam along with Chevalier de Forbin, who had been appointed governor of Bangkok. The Bangkok garrison under Forbin consisted of Siamese, Portuguese, and French reportedly totalling about one thousand men.

French control over the city was further consolidated when the French General Desfarges, who had arrived with the second French embassy in 1687, secured the king's permission to board troops there. This, however, lead to resentment among Siamese nobles, led by Phetracha, ultimately resulting in the Siamese revolution of 1688, in which King Narai was overthrown and 40,000 Siamese troops besieged Bangkok's eastern fort for four months before an agreement was reached and the French were allowed to withdraw. The revolution resulted in Siam's ties with the West being virtually severed, steering its trade towards China and Japan. The eastern fort was subsequently demolished on Phetracha's orders.

Ayutthaya was razed by the Burmese in 1767. In the following months, multiple factions competed for control of the kingdom's lands. Of these, Phraya Tak, governor of Tak and a general fighting in Ayutthaya's defence prior to its fall, emerged as the strongest. After succeeding in reclaiming the cities of Ayutthaya and Bangkok, Phraya Tak declared himself king (popularly known as King Taksin) in 1768 and established Thonburi as his capital. Reasons given for this change include the totality of Ayutthaya's destruction and Thonburi's strategic location. Being a fortified town with a sizeable population meant that not much would need to be reconstructed. The existence of an old Chinese trading settlement on the eastern bank allowed Taksin to use his Chinese connections to import rice and revive trade.

King Taksin had the city area extended northwards to border the Bangkok Noi Canal. A moat was dug to protect the city's western border, on which new city walls and fortifications were built. Moats and walls were also constructed on the eastern bank, encircling the city together with the canals on the western side. The king's palace (Thonburi Palace) was built within the old city walls, including the temples of Wat Chaeng (Wat Arun) and Wat Thai Talat (Wat Molilokkayaram) within the palace grounds. Outlying orchards were re-landscaped for rice farming.

Much of Taksin's reign was spent in military campaigns to consolidate the Thonburi Kingdom's hold over Siamese lands. His kingdom, however, would last only until 1782 when a coup was mounted against him, and the general Chao Phraya Chakri established himself as king, later to be known as Phutthayotfa Chulalok or Rama I.

Rama I re-established the capital on the more strategic east bank of the river, relocating the Chinese already settled there to the area between Wat Sam Pluem and Wat Sampheng (which developed into Bangkok's Chinatown). Fortifications were rebuilt, and another series of moats was created, encircling the city in an area known as Rattanakosin Island.

The erection of the city pillar on 21 April 1782 is regarded as the formal date of the city's establishment. (The year would later mark the start of the Rattanakosin Era after calendar reforms by King Rama V in 1888.) Rama I named the new city Krung Rattanakosin In Ayothaya (กรุงรัตนโกสินทร์อินท์อโยธยา). This was later modified by King Nangklao to be: Krungthepmahanakhon Bowonrattanakosin Mahintha-ayutthaya. While settlements on both banks were commonly called Bangkok, both the Burney Treaty of 1826 and the Roberts Treaty of 1833 refer to the capital as the City of Sia-Yut'hia. King Mongkut (Rama IV) would later give the city its full ceremonial name:

Rama I modelled his city after the former capital of Ayutthaya, with the Grand Palace, Front Palace and royal temples by the river, next to the royal field (now Sanam Luang). Continuing outwards were the royal court of justice, royal stables and military prison. Government offices were located within the Grand Palace, while residences of nobles were concentrated south of the palace walls. Settlements spread outwards from the city centre.

The new capital is referred to in Thai sources as Rattanakosin, a name shared by the Siamese kingdom of this historical period. The name Krung Thep and Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, both shortened forms of the full ceremonial name, began to be used near the end of the 19th century. Foreigners, however, continued to refer to the city by the name Bangkok, which has seen continued use until this day.

Most of Rama I's reign was also marked by continued military campaigns, though the Burmese threat gradually declined afterwards. His successors consistently saw to the renovation of old temples, palaces, and monuments in the city. New canals were also built, gradually expanding the fledgling city as areas available for agriculture increased and new transport networks were created.

At the time of the city's foundation, most of the population lived by the river or the canals, often in floating houses on the water. Waterways served as the main method of transportation, and farming communities depended on them for irrigation. Outside the city walls, settlements sprawled along both river banks. Forced settlers, mostly captives of war, also formed several ethnic communities outside the city walls.

Large numbers of Chinese immigrants continued to settle in Bangkok, especially during the early 19th century. Such was their prominence that Europeans visiting in the 1820s estimated that they formed over half of the city population. The Chinese excelled in trade, and led the development of a market economy. The Chinese settlement at Sampheng had become a bustling market by 1835. 

By the mid-19th century, the West had become an increasingly powerful presence. Missionaries, envoys and merchants began re-visiting Bangkok and Siam, bringing with them both modern innovations and the threat of colonialism. King Mongkut (Rama IV, reigned 1851–1868) was open to Western ideas and knowledge, but was also forced to acknowledge their powers, with the signing of the Bowring Treaty in 1855. During his reign, industrialization began taking place in Bangkok, which saw the introduction of the steam engine, modern shipbuilding and the printing press. Influenced by the Western community, Charoen Krung Road, the city's first paved street, was constructed in 1862–1864. This was followed by Bamrung Mueang, Fueang Nakhon, Trong (now Rama IV) and Si Lom Roads. Land transport would later surpass the canals in importance, shifting people's homes from floating dwellings toward permanent buildings. The limits of the city proper were also expanded during his reign, extending to the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, dug in 1851.

King Mongkut's son Chulalongkorn (r. 1868–1910) was set upon modernizing the country. He engaged in wide-ranging reforms, abolishing slavery, corvée (unfree labour) and the feudal system, and creating a centralized bureaucracy and a professional army. The Western concept of nationhood was adopted, and national borders demarcated against British and French territories. Disputes with the French resulted in the Paknam Incident in 1893, when the French sent gunboats up the Chao Phraya to blockade Bangkok, resulting in Siam's concession of territory to France.

With Chulalongkorn's reforms, governance of the capital and the surrounding areas, established as Monthon Krung Thep Phra Mahanakhon (มณฑลกรุงเทพพระมหานคร), came under the Ministry of Urban Affairs (Nakhonban). During his reign many more canals and roads were built, expanding the urban reaches of the capital. Infrastructure was developed, with the introduction of railway and telegraph services between Bangkok and Samut Prakan and then expanding countrywide. Electricity was introduced, first to palaces and government offices, then to serve electric trams in the capital and later the general public. The King's fascination with the West was reflected in the royal adoption of Western dress and fashions, but most noticeably in architecture. He commissioned the construction of the neoclassical Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall at the new Dusit Palace, which was linked to the historic city centre by the grand Ratchadamnoen Avenue, inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Examples of Western influence in architecture became visible throughout the city.

By 1900, rural market zones in Bangkok began developing into residential districts. Rama VI (1910–1925) continued his predecessor's program of the development of public works by establishing Chulalongkorn University in 1916, and commissioned a system of locks to control waterway levels surrounding the developing city, he also provided the city's first and largest recreational area, Lumphini Park. The Memorial Bridge was constructed in 1932 to connect Thonburi to Bangkok, which was believed to promote economic growth and modernization in a period when infrastructure was developing considerably. Bangkok became the centre stage for power struggles between the military and political elite as the country abolished absolute monarchy in 1932. It was subject to Japanese occupation and Allied bombing during World War II. With the war over in 1945, British and Indian troops landed in September, and during their brief occupation of the city disarmed the Japanese troops. A significant event following the return of the young king, Ananda Mahidol, to Thailand, intended to defuse post-war tensions lingering between Bangkok's ethnic Chinese and Thai people, was his visit to Bangkok's Chinatown Sam Peng Lane (ซอยสำเพ็ง), on 3 June 1946.

As a result of pro-Western bloc treaties Bangkok rapidly grew in the post-war period as a result of United States developmental aid and government-sponsored investment. Infrastructure, including the Don Mueang International Airport and highways, was built and expanded.  Bangkok's role as an American military R&R destination launched its tourism industry as well as sex trade.  Disproportionate urban development led to increasing income inequalities and unprecedented migration from rural areas into Bangkok; its population surged from 1.8 to 3 million in the 1960s. Following the United States' withdrawal from Vietnam, Japanese businesses took over as leaders in investment, and the expansion of export-oriented manufacturing led to growth of the financial market in Bangkok.  Rapid growth of the city continued through the 1980s and early 1990s, until it was stalled by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. By then, many public and social issues had emerged, among them the strain on infrastructure reflected in the city's notorious traffic jams. Bangkok's role as the nation's political stage continues to be seen in strings of popular protests, from the student uprisings in 1973 and 1976, anti-military demonstrations in 1992, and successive anti-government protests by the "Yellow Shirt" and "Red Shirt" movements from 2008 on.

Administratively, eastern Bangkok and Thonburi had been established as separate provinces in 1915. (The province east of the river was named Phra Nakhon (พระนคร.) A series of decrees in 1971–1972 resulted in the merger of these provinces and its local administrations, forming the current city of Bangkok which is officially known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was created in 1975 to govern the city, and its governor has been elected since 1985.

resentment and hatred right now toward my boss for making us drive back in the snow storm. This is unsafe and stupid. Learn to schedule plz.

ICU

By Fielding Edlow

Directed by Brian Shnipper

World Premiere production

Performances Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 7:00pm

September 25 - October 31, 2015

Photos by Jeff Galfer

An obnoxious, caustic, oblivious New York family has to deal with their dying son and a complete stranger who insists on making an “amend.” Can they suppress their resentment toward each other––and toward their son’s irascible charge nurse––long enough to hear a cry for help?

Featuring Caroline Aaron, Shaun Anthony, Tony DeCarlo, Dagney Kerr, Ericka Kreutz, Joe Pacheco, Doug Sutherland

Producers: Tim Wright and Jennifer A. Skinner

Assistant Director: Sam Sonenshine

Stage Manager: Cassandra Scott

Set Design: Amanda Knehans

Lighting Designer: Ric Zimmerman

Costume Designer: Dianne Graebner

Sound Designer: Jeff Gardner

Props: Bethany Tucker

Location: Atwater Village Theatre, Theatre #4, 3269 Casitas Ave., LA CA 90039

ICU

By Fielding Edlow

Directed by Brian Shnipper

World Premiere production

Performances Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 7:00pm

September 25 - October 31, 2015

Photos by Jeff Galfer

An obnoxious, caustic, oblivious New York family has to deal with their dying son and a complete stranger who insists on making an “amend.” Can they suppress their resentment toward each other––and toward their son’s irascible charge nurse––long enough to hear a cry for help?

Featuring Caroline Aaron, Shaun Anthony, Tony DeCarlo, Dagney Kerr, Ericka Kreutz, Joe Pacheco, Doug Sutherland

Producers: Tim Wright and Jennifer A. Skinner

Assistant Director: Sam Sonenshine

Stage Manager: Cassandra Scott

Set Design: Amanda Knehans

Lighting Designer: Ric Zimmerman

Costume Designer: Dianne Graebner

Sound Designer: Jeff Gardner

Props: Bethany Tucker

Location: Atwater Village Theatre, Theatre #4, 3269 Casitas Ave., LA CA 90039

Are you familiar with America's #T_H_U_G_L_I_F_E Culture of African American Child Abuse & Neglect the late American story-TRUTH-teller Tupac Shakur, as well as many of his urban story-truth-teller peers vividly describe in their American artistry or public interviews?

"The Hate U Give Little Infants Fvvks Everyone" ~Tupac Shakur

Are you aware of the #A_F_R_E_C_A_N remedy for the #T_H_U_G_L_I_F_E experienced, through no fault of their own, by significant numbers of American children and teens?

"America’s Firm Resolve to End Childhood Abuse and Neglect”

medium.com/@AveryJarhman/tupac-addresses-african-american...

medium.com/@AveryJarhman/lets-talk-kendrick-lamar-gangs-g...

Peace.

___

Tagged: #JamylaBolden, #TyshawnLee, #RamiyaReed, #AvaCastillo, #JulieDombo, #LaylahPetersen, #LavontayWhite, #NovaMarieGallman, #AyannaAllen, #AutumnPasquale, #RamiyaReed, #TrinityGay, #ChildhoodTrauma, #Poverty, #ChildAbuse, #ChildhoodMaltreatment, #ChildNeglect, #ChildhoodDepression, #TeenDepression, #TeenViolence, #GunViolence, #GangViolence, #CommunityViolence, #CommunityFear, #PTSD, #PoliceAnxiety, #TeacherEducatorFrustration, #CognitiveDissonance, #KendrickLamar, #TupacShakur, #EmotionalIllness, #MentalHealth, #MentalIllness, #FatherlessAmericanChildren, #ShamirHunter, #DemeaningGovernmentHandouts, #Resentment, #MATERNALRESPONSIBILITY, #DonaldTrump, #HRC, #BarackObama, #MichelleObama, #ObamaAdministration, #ObamaWhiteHouse, #WillfulIgnorance, #AmericanSociety, #Racism, #T_H_U_G_L_I_F_E, #Solutions>>>, #A_F_R_E_C_A_N,

"America’s Firm Resolve to End Childhood Abuse and Neglect”

View On Black

This is a Cleansing Ceremony. It opens most of our activities and helps transport one into the calm focused world of spiritual gatherings. A smudge is made by lighting a match to a ball of dried plant medicines so that it smolders. The material is often held in a shell or ceramic bowl. It is most common to use: tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass.

I am using sage for this ceremony, I often smudge with sage or sweetgrass it helps me fight off my past demons and dark negativity

Tobacco..... is used as an offering before you harvest anything from Mother Earth. It is believed to open the door between our world and the Spiritual World and carries our prayers to the Creator in the sky.

Sage......... is believed to be a masculine plant and it reduces or eliminates negative energy.

Cedar.......... offers protection and grounding. It can be placed at entrances to a home. For extra grounding it is placed in shoes for daily wear.

Sweetgrass........... is a feminine plant that teaches kindness because it bends without breaking. Because sweetgrass is considered to be the hair of Mother Earth, we show respect to her by braiding it before it is picked. In a smudge it is used to attract positive energy.

The smoke from these four dried medicines is pushed forward with an Eagle Feather. When we smudge, we first cleanse our hands with the smoke rising from the smudge bowl as if we were washing our hands. Then we draw its smoke over our hearts, our mouths, eyes, ears, small of back and our feet.

We cleanse our heart to clean it of resentment and ill will and to

open it to compassion.

We cleanse our mouth so that what we speak will be truthful and

honest and said in a caring manner.

We cleanse our eyes so that they will see the Truth in the world, the

beauty of Mother Earth and the gifts of the Creator.

We cleanse our ears so that we will clearly hear the messages of

others and understand the truth.

We cleanse the small of our backs so that we will release anger

gathered there, open ourselves to positive energy and heal.

We cleanse our feet so that we will walk the True Path, walker

closer to our friends and families and easily flee our enemies.

Rocinha slum - favela - , Río de Janeiro, Brazil. An agency arranges tours of the favelas and spends part of the gains is on charity in the favelas, mostly on building schools. This means that you're actually welcome - even though some of the young men, reasonably enough, showed signs of resentment.

'If we do not fill our mind with prayer, it will fill itself with anxieties, worries, temptations, resentments, and unwelcome memories.' -- Scott Hahn

Uighur men in the square outside Id Kah Mosque, Old Town, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China.

Kashgar the cultural capital of East Turkistan and the Uighur people is rapidly changing as it's old city is bulldozed to make way for Chinese government planned 'modernisation.

"The scene is not always as peaceful as it looks. In the evenings, it is invaded by the sound of a large electronic billboard on the square, with loud music that offends Muslims praying in the mosque. There have been complaints to the police. Stones have been thrown at the screen." reported the BBC's Hugh Sykes, July 28th 2009.

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm/2008/07/hugh_in_china_2.shtml

"The Uyghurs have long felt that the Chinese government is slowly destroying their heritage and culture."..." The average Han Chinese citizen doesn’t understand the international ruckus that this government investment in Kashgar has caused. Not only is the government providing new housing for the Uyghurs but they are protecting them from potential problems which they cannot afford to fix themselves. Part of the Old City will still be preserved and a tourist center has been planned for the area. The world seems to be heaping criticism on a project that they believe might, in the case of a future earthquake near Kashgar, save many lives."

www.uhrp.org/articles/2185/1/Kashgars-Old-Town-Bulldozed-... May 20th 2009

In 2003, the BBC's Kashgar correspondent Louisa Lim said "And if what I saw was any indication, the dissatisfaction of Uighurs in Kashgar at the gradual erosion of their culture could turn out to be more of a problem than the Chinese Government imagines."

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent...

In July 2009 violence erupted in the Xinjiang capital Urumqi. Michael Dillon

a Historian on Islam in China explained "The violence in Xinjiang has not occurred completely out of the blue", in an article for the BBC, "Uighur resentment at Beijing's rule."

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8137206.stm

Dan Chung's photos of the unrest in Urumqi.

www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2009/jul/06/china?pictur...

Q&A: China and the Uighurs (BBC)

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7540636.stm

Ebenezer D. Bassett (1833–1908) was an African American who was appointed U.S. ambassador to Haiti in 1869. He was the first African-American diplomat.

Ebenezer Bassett was appointed as new leaders emerged among free African Americans after the American Civil War. An educator, abolitionist, and civil rights activist, Bassett was the U.S. diplomatic envoy in 1869 to Haiti, the “Black Republic” of the Western Hemisphere. Through eight years of bloody civil war and coups d'état there, Bassett served in one of the most crucial, but difficult postings of his time. Haiti was of strategic importance in the Caribbean basin for its shipping lanes and as a naval coaling station.

Early life

Born in Derby, Connecticut on October 16, 1833, Ebenezer D. Bassett was the second child of Eben Tobias and Susan Gregory, who were both free blacks. Though slavery was still legal in the state, people of the free black community had a strong tradition of owning their own property, running their own businesses, and playing important leadership roles. Among this community, the Bassetts stood out as leaders. Bassett's father Eben Tobias, as well as his grandfather Tobiah, had the distinction of being elected “Black Governor” in Connecticut, an unofficial honorific among the black community.

Both Bassett's parents ensured that their son would receive the best education possible. In a step rare for any students of the mid-19th century, Bassett attended college in his home state. In 1853 he was the first black student to attend the Connecticut Normal School, almost a century before Brown v Board of Education ruled that segregation in public schools was illegal. After graduation Bassett taught school in New Haven, where he met and became friends with the abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

Educator and activist

Soon Bassett was offered the chance to teach at a progressive new all-black high school in Philadelphia. At the time, he was teaching at the Institute for Colored Youth (ICY). It later became Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, one of the earliest colleges dedicated to educating black youth in the country. There he focused on Latin, Greek, mathematics and science, becoming principal after one year. But Pennsylvania, like the rest of the country, was soon dragged into the American Civil War.

Bassett became one of Philadelphia's leading voices for abolition of slavery and emancipation of the nearly four million black slaves. Ebenezer Bassett used ICY as a base to recruit blacks to serve in the Union Army. He hastened to invite many of the national civil rights leaders who had become colleagues. Just days after the Battle of Gettysburg, Bassett and other black leaders organized a recruiting drive for black soldiers. Bassett had the honor of being the second speaker of the night, making his speech immediately preceding Frederick Douglass.

“Men of Color, to Arms! Now or Never! This is our golden moment. The Government of the United States calls for every able-bodied colored man to enter the army for the three years' service, and join in fighting the battles of liberty and the Union. A new era is open to us. For generations we have suffered under the horrors of slavery, outrage, and wrong; our manhood has been denied, our citizenship blotted out, our souls seared and burned, our spirits cowed and crushed, and the hopes of the future of our race involved in doubts and darkness. But how the whole aspect of our relations to the white race is changed! Now, therefore, is our most precious moment. Let us rush to arms! Fail now, and our race is doomed on this soil of our birth.”

His remaining years as an educator and activist would cement his position in the abolitionist community. When Ulysses S Grant was elected to the presidency, he looked for black leaders such as Bassett to fill important political positions. Douglass recommended Bassett to political allies in the White House.

Diplomatic career

In nominating Bassett to become Minister Resident to Haiti (the title Ambassador would not be used by the U.S. until 1893), Grant appointed him as one of the highest-ranking blacks in the U.S. government. Bassett's accreditation to the “Black Republic” was no accident either. Though Haiti had gained its independence from France in 1804, it was not officially recognized by the United States until 1862. Southern resistance to a former colony governed by ex-slaves becoming a “nation” had prevented the United States from recognizing the country. With the Union victory in the Civil War, the US government wanted to improve bilateral relations, and believed the appointment of Bassett was a significant step, not only for his skills but for the symbolism of his appointment.

Upon arrival in Port au Prince, however, Bassett found that Haiti was torn by civil war. Although with no international experience, as a representative of the US, the Minister Resident was one of the most powerful figures in the country. Bassett soon realized that much of diplomacy involved intangibles. Soon after his arrival, he wrote to Frederick Douglass that his duties were “not so onerous as delicate. Common sense and some little knowledge of law…will carry me through.”[citation needed]

Bassett oversaw cases of citizen commercial claims, diplomatic immunity for consular and commercial agents, and aid to citizens affected by hurricanes, fires and numerous tropical diseases.

Canal crisis

The case that posed the greatest challenge to him, however, was political refugee General Pierre Boisrond Canal. The general was among the band of young leaders who in 1869 successfully ousted the former President Sylvain Salnave from power. By the time of the subsequent regime of Michel Domingue in the mid 1870s, Canal had retired to his home outside the capital. The new Haitian President, however, suspicious of rivals, hunted down perceived threats, including Canal.

Canal and two young relatives arrived at Bassett's home, seeking protection and refuge. The diplomat agreed to protect them under his diplomatic immunity. “It may be that the instinct for humanity got the better of me,” he later wrote to Secretary of State Hamilton Fish. “The men before me were not my personal friends. They had never visited my house before, nor I theirs. I had no merely personal interest in them."

The crisis dragged on for several days before Bassett could write to Washington. Reflecting on the issue, Bassett wrote a 21-page dispatch to the Secretary of State. He was optimistic that the government's persecution would ease. He had dealt with numerous cases of refugees in the past, and although some took weeks to resolve, the diplomat had always been successful. He was worried about the government threat. "I must confess that the presence of a thousand armed men around my country residence…with discontent stamped on their faces and Henry rifles in their hands does not quite give the best possible ground to my hope," he wrote to Fish

Fish criticized his Minister for taking in refugees. He responded to Bassett by noting that the Haitian Ambassador to Washington, Stephen Preston, had complained about the refugees.

Fish wanted to resolve the problem quickly. He did not force his envoy to hand over the refugees, however. Despite incurring the wrath of his superiors in Washington, Bassett put all of his credibility on the line:

“I am not unaware that the ground taken in my several despatches…may not be in accord with the requirements of public law… but circumstances seemed to crowd in upon me without warning, and in such a way as to leave me almost no choice. Men maddened by passion, inflamed, as I am credibly informed, by rum, and elated by consciousness of armed power, were pursuing their fellow countrymen with red-handed violence. To have closed my door upon the men pursued would have been for me to deny them their last chance of escape from being brutally put to death before my eyes.”

As a result of the standoff, Bassett’s home remained surrounded by over 1,000 soldiers. The nightly rhythm of loud taunts and screams, beating of metal objects, and general nuisance kept the family huddled inside trying to gain a few hours of restless sleep. Bassett first raised the idea of sending a U.S. warship to Haiti in his May 8 despatch first reporting the incident. He argued at the time that such a show of force would exert “a wholesome influence” and strengthen “our own moral force” in resolving the matter.[citation needed] As the conflict dragged on for weeks, with both Bassett and Domingue digging in their heels, Washington seemed paralyzed. The diplomat continued to plea for a warship through the summer. But Fish’s pique at his Minister and his continued discussions with Preston, who lobbied hard against sending a ship, left the situation unresolved.

In spite of the displeasure he caused in both capitals, Bassett was seen as a hero by supporters among the Haitian people. The affair energized popular opinion in favor of the United States and raised Canal as a folk hero. “The prevailing sentiment is unmistakably in favor of [Canal], and in our favor, because we have firmly protected him against violence,” Bassett wrote. No doubt part of that support for both Canal and Bassett was because of the brutality with which the regime continued to act against any and all presumed opponents. Political arrests and killings continued, and Bassett concluded, “the awful fact stares me in the face that we are all under a reign of terror.”

By summer’s end, it looked as if Secretary Fish had finally had enough. Perhaps a more visible threat, he concluded, would cause the Domingue regime of crack. “It has been determined to apply to the Navy Department to order a man of war to Port au Prince with a view to your protection from insult,” Fish wrote to Bassett. “That the embarrassing question adverted to may be satisfactorily adjusted before she arrives, is much to be desired.”

As the ship was preparing to leave, Haitian Ambassador Preston rushed to tell Fish that Domingue was ready to capitulate. Bassett could escort Canal safely out if the warship would turn back and not enter Haitian waters. Fish agreed and instructed Bassett that a deal had been set. He was relieved to receive the news. Finally, just after midnight on October 5, 1875, Canal embraced Bassett and boarded an American-flagged ship, to sail to Jamaica and safety.

As a refugee, Canal had been essentially held captive by the government threat for more than five months. After his departure, Bassett telegrammed the Department of State informing them that the crisis had finally passed: “Refugees amicable embarked and soldiers withdrawn from around my premises yesterday.”

Though he undoubtedly paid a price by having irritated the powers that ran the State Department, he nonetheless stood up to both the Secretary of State and the brutal Domingue dictatorship. By demanding humane treatment for an honorable Haitian citizen, Ebenezer Bassett served not only the best interests of the United States, but also of the people of Haiti.

Upon the end of the Grant Administration in 1877, Bassett submitted his resignation as was customary with a change of hands in government. In spite of any lingering resentment that may have existed in Washington because of his defiant stance, it was impossible for the Department not to recognize Bassett’s work.

Acting Secretary of State F.W. Seward wrote to Bassett, thanking him for his years of service: “I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without expressing to you the appreciation of the Department for the very satisfactory manner in which you have discharged your duties of the mission at Port au Prince during your term of office. This commendation of your services is the more especially merited because at various times your duties have been of such a delicate nature as to have required the exercise of much tact and discretion.”

Later life

When he returned to the United States, he spent an additional ten years as the Consul General for Haiti in New York City. Prior to this death in 1908, he returned to live in Philadelphia, where his daughter Charlotte taught at the ICY. Unfortunately, unlike his peers who broke the color barrier in other professional fields, Ebenezer Bassett was soon forgotten with the passing of time.

Ebenezer D. Bassett was a role model not simply for his symbolic importance as the first African American diplomat. His concern for human rights, his heroism, and courage in the face of threats from Haitians as well as his own capital place him in the annals of great American diplomats. Most importantly, Bassett’s work as a politically-appointed diplomat forever altered U.S. foreign policy. For the first time, a nation founded on the principle that “all men are created equal” would have as its representative abroad someone who had previously been less than equal under the law. This movement toward equality and democratization of foreign policy would neither be quick, nor perfect. However it proved to be a force impossible to turn back, and carried implications for both domestic and international relations in the years ahead, including the wider acceptance of blacks in U.S. foreign policy.

The Sacred Space Ibiza is a magical ambiance, filled with dedicated people who want to let go of their past trauma. Our day start with silent meditation robust Vinyasa Yoga along with therapeutic massage and a refreshing meal of organic produces. The evening includes a session of shamanism, which opens up the gate to heart and eradicate all resentment and pain from life. www.sacredspaceibiza.com

On the western edge of the village of Eaglesfield in the Scottish Borders lies the ancient church and churchyard of Kirkconnel. There one can find the remains of a medieval church. It is tiny; probably the remnants of a much larger building have long disappeared: the stone, fine and ready cut, having found a better future than to lie unused when the parish of Kirkconnel was amalgamated with that of Kirkpatrick Fleming in about the year of 1610

In the burial ground of Kirkconnell is the grave of Helen Irving, recognised by tradition as Fair Helen of Kirkconnell, and who is supposed to have lived in the sixteenth century. It is also the grave of her lover, Adam Fleming – a name that once predominated the district. Helen, according to the narration of Pennant (Pennant’s Tour in Scotland, 1772), “was beloved by two gentlemen at the same time. The one vowed to sacrifice the successful rival to his resentment, and watched an opportunity while the happy pair was sitting on the banks of the Kirtle, that washes these grounds. Helen perceived the desperate lover on the opposite side, and fondly thinking to save her favorite but received a wound intended for her beloved, fell and expired in his arms. He instantly revenged her death; then fled into Spain, and served for some time against the Infidels: on his return, he visited the grave of his unfortunate mistress, stretched himself on it, and expiring on the spot, was interred by her side.

Mahotella Queens

South Africa

The Mahotella Queens - Hilda Tloubatla, Mildred Mangxola and Nobesuthu Mbadu - belong to the legend of urban South-African music. In the early 60s, together with Mahlathini (The Lion of Soweto) and the musicians of the Makgona Tsothle Band, they invented the Mbaqanga, an explosive style blending traditional music forms (Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa, Shangaan) and Marabi (South-African jazz in Apartheid times) with American rhythm'n'blues, soul and gospel, then heard throughout the townships.

The Queens were far more than just a female chorus: their velvety voices, their charisma and their sense of show and stage were an essential element in the band.

Indeed, behind this amazing vocal trio are inspired soloists, composers, lyricists and arrangers who have greatly contributed to the group's rich recording work and concert tours. Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens sold millions of albums all over Southern Africa before the government of Pretoria broke up this impulse with a discrimination policy that doomed all forms of cultural activity.

The hassles and problems confronting all artists, along with marriages and pregnancies, made them take a break in the 70s, but they rejoined Mahlathini and the band in the early 80s. Since then, they have not stopped recording and touring all over the world. The end of apartheid has allowed a whole new generation to discover the glories of their musical heritage.

Since the death of Mahlathini and the main members of the Makgona Tsothle Band, the three queens have taken up the torch of the Mbaqanga. Their talent and vocal colour have been called upon by many artists, including Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, Ray Lema, Manu Dibango, Johnny Clegg and Baaba Maal. Boosted by all these experiences, they have enriched their musical range. These young, engaging, exceptional sexagenarians have gone through one of South Africa's most sombre periods without anger or resentment, managing to retain the energy and humour of their twenties.

The Mahotella Queens have been touring since the 1960s and, with male 'groaners' such as Robert Mbazo Mkhize and their long-term lead singer Mahlathini, have sold out shows in South Africa, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Their international touring career started in 1988, beginning with concerts in the United Kingdom (most notably a performance for Nelson Mandela's 75th birthday in Wembley Stadium) and North America. The Queens completed a tour of Britain as the support act for Ladysmith Black Mambazo, in June 2006, then toured France, Germany and Asia and were a headline act at WOMAD UK in July.

Let yourself embark on a journey to the rainbow nation - to dance and to dream!

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan or Wat Arun ("Temple of Dawn") is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruṇa, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks. The first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence. Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spire) was built in the early nineteenth century during the reigns of Rama II and Rama III.

A Buddhist temple had existed at the site of Wat Arun since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was then known as Wat Makok, after the village of Bang Makok in which it was built. (Makok is the Thai name for the Spondias pinnata plant.) According to the historian Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the temple was shown in French maps during the reign of Narai (1656–88). The temple was renamed Wat Chaeng by Taksin (1767–82) when he established his new capital of Thonburi near the temple, following the fall of Ayutthaya. It is believed that Taksin vowed to restore the temple after passing it at dawn. The temple enshrined the Emerald Buddha image before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew on the river's eastern bank in 1784. The temple was on the grounds of the royal palace during Taksin's reign, before his successor, Rama I (1782–1809), moved the palace to the other side of the river. It was abandoned until the reign of Rama II (1809–24), who had the temple restored and had begun plans to raise the main pagoda to 70 m. The work on the pagoda commenced during the reign of Rama III (1824–51). The main prang was completed in 1851, after nine years of continued construction.

The temple underwent major restorations during the reign of Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868–1910) and in 1980, prior to the bicentenary celebration of Bangkok's foundation. The most extensive restoration work on the prang was undertaken from 2013 to 2017, during which a substantial number of broken tiles were replaced and lime plaster was used to re-finish many of the surfaces (replacing the cement used during earlier restorations). As the work neared its end in 2017, photographs of the results drew some criticism for the temple's new appearance, which seemed white-washed compared to its previous state. The Fine Arts Department defended the work, stating that it was carefully done to reflect the temple's original appearance.

The main feature of Wat Arun is its central prang, which is encrusted with colourful porcelain. This is interpreted as a stupa-like pagoda encrusted with coloured faience. The height is reported by different sources as between 66.8 m (219 ft) and 86 m (282 ft). The corners are surrounded by four smaller satellite prang. The prang are decorated by shells of Mauritia mauritiana and bits of porcelain, which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.

The central prang is topped with a seven-pronged trident, referred to by many sources as the "Trident of Shiva". Around the base of the prang are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan. In Buddhist iconography, the central prang is considered to have three symbolic levels—base for Traiphum indicating all realms of existence, middle for Tavatimsa, the Tusita Heaven where all desires are gratified, and the top denoting Devaphum indicating six heavens within seven realms of happiness. At the riverside are six pavilions (sala) in the Chinese style. The pavilions are made of green granite and contain landing bridges.

Next to the prang is the Ordination Hall with a Niramitr Buddha image supposedly designed by Rama II. The front entrance of the Ordination Hall has a roof with a central spire, decorated in coloured ceramic and stuccowork sheathed in coloured china. Inside, there is a grand altar with a red, grey and white marble decoration. There are two demons, or temple guardian figures, in front. The murals were created during the reign of Rama V.

The central prang symbolises Mount Meru of the Hindu cosmology. The satellite prang are devoted to the wind god, Phra Phai. The demons (yaksha) at the entranceway to the ubosot are from the Ramakien. The white figure is named Sahassa Deja and the green one is known as Thotsakan, the Demon Rāvana from Ramayana.

Wat Arun can be accessed through the Chao Phraya River, and ferries travel across the river towards the Maharaj pier. For foreigners, the temple charges an entrance fee of 100 baht (as of January 2021). During Kathina, the king travels to Wat Arun in a procession of royal barges to present new robes to the monks there.

Bangkok, officially known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estimated population of 10.539 million as of 2020, 15.3 percent of the country's population. Over 14 million people (22.2 percent) lived within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region at the 2010 census, making Bangkok an extreme primate city, dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in both size and importance to the national economy.

Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew and became the site of two capital cities, Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Bangkok was at the heart of the modernization of Siam, later renamed Thailand, during the late-19th century, as the country faced pressures from the West. The city was at the centre of Thailand's political struggles throughout the 20th century, as the country abolished absolute monarchy, adopted constitutional rule, and underwent numerous coups and several uprisings. The city, incorporated as a special administrative area under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in 1972, grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s and now exerts a significant impact on Thailand's politics, economy, education, media and modern society.

The Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. The city is now a regional force in finance and business. It is an international hub for transport and health care, and has emerged as a centre for the arts, fashion, and entertainment. The city is known for its street life and cultural landmarks, as well as its red-light districts. The Grand Palace and Buddhist temples including Wat Arun and Wat Pho stand in contrast with other tourist attractions such as the nightlife scenes of Khaosan Road and Patpong. Bangkok is among the world's top tourist destinations, and has been named the world's most visited city consistently in several international rankings.

Bangkok's rapid growth coupled with little urban planning has resulted in a haphazard cityscape and inadequate infrastructure. Despite an extensive expressway network, an inadequate road network and substantial private car usage have led to chronic and crippling traffic congestion, which caused severe air pollution in the 1990s. The city has since turned to public transport in an attempt to solve the problem, operating eight urban rail lines and building other public transit, but congestion still remains a prevalent issue. The city faces long-term environmental threats such as sea level rise due to climate change.

The history of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, dates at least to the early 15th century, when it was under the rule of Ayutthaya. Due to its strategic location near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, the town gradually increased in importance, and after the fall of Ayutthaya King Taksin established his new capital of Thonburi there, on the river's west bank. King Phutthayotfa Chulalok, who succeeded Taksin, moved the capital to the eastern bank in 1782, to which the city dates its foundation under its current Thai name, "Krung Thep Maha Nakhon". Bangkok has since undergone tremendous changes, growing rapidly, especially in the second half of the 20th century, to become the primate city of Thailand. It was the centre of Siam's modernization in the late 19th century, subjected to Allied bombing during the Second World War, and has long been the modern nation's central political stage, with numerous uprisings and coups d'état having taken place on its streets throughout the years.

It is not known exactly when the area which is now Bangkok was first settled. It probably originated as a small farming and trading community, situated in a meander of the Chao Phraya River within the mandala of Ayutthaya's influence. The town had become an important customs outpost by as early as the 15th century; the title of its customs official is given as Nai Phra Khanon Thonburi (Thai: นายพระขนอนทณบุรี) in a document from the reign of Ayutthayan king Chao Sam Phraya (1424–1448). The name also appears in the 1805 revised code of laws known as the Law of Three Seals.

At the time, the Chao Phraya flowed through what are now the Bangkok Noi and Bangkok Yai canals, forming a large loop in which lay the town. In the reign of King Chairacha (either in 1538 or 1542), a waterway was excavated, bypassing the loop and shortening the route for ships sailing up to Ayutthaya. The flow of the river has since changed to follow the new waterway, dividing the town and making the western part an island. This geographical feature may have given the town the name Bang Ko (บางเกาะ), meaning 'island village', which later became Bangkok (บางกอก, pronounced in Thai as [bāːŋ kɔ̀ːk]). Another theory regarding the origin of the name speculates that it is shortened from Bang Makok (บางมะกอก), makok being the name of Spondias pinnata, a plant bearing olive-like fruit. This is supported by the fact that Wat Arun, a historic temple in the area, used to be named Wat Makok. Specific mention of the town was first made in the royal chronicles from the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat (1548–1568), giving its name as Thonburi Si Mahasamut (ธนบุรีศรีมหาสมุทร). Bangkok was probably a colloquial name, albeit one widely adopted by foreign visitors.

The importance of Bangkok/Thonburi increased with the amount of Ayutthaya's maritime trade. Dutch records noted that ships passing through Bangkok were required to declare their goods and number of passengers, as well as pay customs duties. Ships' cannons would be confiscated and held there before they were allowed to proceed upriver to Ayutthaya. An early English language account is that of Adam Denton, who arrived aboard the Globe, an East India Company merchantman bearing a letter from King James I, which arrived in "the Road of Syam" (Pak Nam) on 15 August 1612, where the port officer of Bangkok attended to the ship. Denton's account mentions that he and his companions journeyed "up the river some twenty miles to a town called Bancope, where we were well received, and further 100 miles to the city...."

Ayutthaya's maritime trade was at its height during the reign of King Narai (1656–1688). Recognition of the city's strategic location guarding the water passage to Ayutthaya lead to expansion of the military presence there. A fort of Western design was constructed on the east side of the river around 1685–1687 under the supervision of French engineer de la Mare, probably replacing an earlier structure, while plans to rebuild the fort on the west bank were also made. De la Mare had arrived with the French embassy of Chevalier de Chaumont, and remained in Siam along with Chevalier de Forbin, who had been appointed governor of Bangkok. The Bangkok garrison under Forbin consisted of Siamese, Portuguese, and French reportedly totalling about one thousand men.

French control over the city was further consolidated when the French General Desfarges, who had arrived with the second French embassy in 1687, secured the king's permission to board troops there. This, however, lead to resentment among Siamese nobles, led by Phetracha, ultimately resulting in the Siamese revolution of 1688, in which King Narai was overthrown and 40,000 Siamese troops besieged Bangkok's eastern fort for four months before an agreement was reached and the French were allowed to withdraw. The revolution resulted in Siam's ties with the West being virtually severed, steering its trade towards China and Japan. The eastern fort was subsequently demolished on Phetracha's orders.

Ayutthaya was razed by the Burmese in 1767. In the following months, multiple factions competed for control of the kingdom's lands. Of these, Phraya Tak, governor of Tak and a general fighting in Ayutthaya's defence prior to its fall, emerged as the strongest. After succeeding in reclaiming the cities of Ayutthaya and Bangkok, Phraya Tak declared himself king (popularly known as King Taksin) in 1768 and established Thonburi as his capital. Reasons given for this change include the totality of Ayutthaya's destruction and Thonburi's strategic location. Being a fortified town with a sizeable population meant that not much would need to be reconstructed. The existence of an old Chinese trading settlement on the eastern bank allowed Taksin to use his Chinese connections to import rice and revive trade.

King Taksin had the city area extended northwards to border the Bangkok Noi Canal. A moat was dug to protect the city's western border, on which new city walls and fortifications were built. Moats and walls were also constructed on the eastern bank, encircling the city together with the canals on the western side. The king's palace (Thonburi Palace) was built within the old city walls, including the temples of Wat Chaeng (Wat Arun) and Wat Thai Talat (Wat Molilokkayaram) within the palace grounds. Outlying orchards were re-landscaped for rice farming.

Much of Taksin's reign was spent in military campaigns to consolidate the Thonburi Kingdom's hold over Siamese lands. His kingdom, however, would last only until 1782 when a coup was mounted against him, and the general Chao Phraya Chakri established himself as king, later to be known as Phutthayotfa Chulalok or Rama I.

Rama I re-established the capital on the more strategic east bank of the river, relocating the Chinese already settled there to the area between Wat Sam Pluem and Wat Sampheng (which developed into Bangkok's Chinatown). Fortifications were rebuilt, and another series of moats was created, encircling the city in an area known as Rattanakosin Island.

The erection of the city pillar on 21 April 1782 is regarded as the formal date of the city's establishment. (The year would later mark the start of the Rattanakosin Era after calendar reforms by King Rama V in 1888.) Rama I named the new city Krung Rattanakosin In Ayothaya (กรุงรัตนโกสินทร์อินท์อโยธยา). This was later modified by King Nangklao to be: Krungthepmahanakhon Bowonrattanakosin Mahintha-ayutthaya. While settlements on both banks were commonly called Bangkok, both the Burney Treaty of 1826 and the Roberts Treaty of 1833 refer to the capital as the City of Sia-Yut'hia. King Mongkut (Rama IV) would later give the city its full ceremonial name:

Rama I modelled his city after the former capital of Ayutthaya, with the Grand Palace, Front Palace and royal temples by the river, next to the royal field (now Sanam Luang). Continuing outwards were the royal court of justice, royal stables and military prison. Government offices were located within the Grand Palace, while residences of nobles were concentrated south of the palace walls. Settlements spread outwards from the city centre.

The new capital is referred to in Thai sources as Rattanakosin, a name shared by the Siamese kingdom of this historical period. The name Krung Thep and Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, both shortened forms of the full ceremonial name, began to be used near the end of the 19th century. Foreigners, however, continued to refer to the city by the name Bangkok, which has seen continued use until this day.

Most of Rama I's reign was also marked by continued military campaigns, though the Burmese threat gradually declined afterwards. His successors consistently saw to the renovation of old temples, palaces, and monuments in the city. New canals were also built, gradually expanding the fledgling city as areas available for agriculture increased and new transport networks were created.

At the time of the city's foundation, most of the population lived by the river or the canals, often in floating houses on the water. Waterways served as the main method of transportation, and farming communities depended on them for irrigation. Outside the city walls, settlements sprawled along both river banks. Forced settlers, mostly captives of war, also formed several ethnic communities outside the city walls.

Large numbers of Chinese immigrants continued to settle in Bangkok, especially during the early 19th century. Such was their prominence that Europeans visiting in the 1820s estimated that they formed over half of the city population. The Chinese excelled in trade, and led the development of a market economy. The Chinese settlement at Sampheng had become a bustling market by 1835. 

By the mid-19th century, the West had become an increasingly powerful presence. Missionaries, envoys and merchants began re-visiting Bangkok and Siam, bringing with them both modern innovations and the threat of colonialism. King Mongkut (Rama IV, reigned 1851–1868) was open to Western ideas and knowledge, but was also forced to acknowledge their powers, with the signing of the Bowring Treaty in 1855. During his reign, industrialization began taking place in Bangkok, which saw the introduction of the steam engine, modern shipbuilding and the printing press. Influenced by the Western community, Charoen Krung Road, the city's first paved street, was constructed in 1862–1864. This was followed by Bamrung Mueang, Fueang Nakhon, Trong (now Rama IV) and Si Lom Roads. Land transport would later surpass the canals in importance, shifting people's homes from floating dwellings toward permanent buildings. The limits of the city proper were also expanded during his reign, extending to the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, dug in 1851.

King Mongkut's son Chulalongkorn (r. 1868–1910) was set upon modernizing the country. He engaged in wide-ranging reforms, abolishing slavery, corvée (unfree labour) and the feudal system, and creating a centralized bureaucracy and a professional army. The Western concept of nationhood was adopted, and national borders demarcated against British and French territories. Disputes with the French resulted in the Paknam Incident in 1893, when the French sent gunboats up the Chao Phraya to blockade Bangkok, resulting in Siam's concession of territory to France.

With Chulalongkorn's reforms, governance of the capital and the surrounding areas, established as Monthon Krung Thep Phra Mahanakhon (มณฑลกรุงเทพพระมหานคร), came under the Ministry of Urban Affairs (Nakhonban). During his reign many more canals and roads were built, expanding the urban reaches of the capital. Infrastructure was developed, with the introduction of railway and telegraph services between Bangkok and Samut Prakan and then expanding countrywide. Electricity was introduced, first to palaces and government offices, then to serve electric trams in the capital and later the general public. The King's fascination with the West was reflected in the royal adoption of Western dress and fashions, but most noticeably in architecture. He commissioned the construction of the neoclassical Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall at the new Dusit Palace, which was linked to the historic city centre by the grand Ratchadamnoen Avenue, inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Examples of Western influence in architecture became visible throughout the city.

By 1900, rural market zones in Bangkok began developing into residential districts. Rama VI (1910–1925) continued his predecessor's program of the development of public works by establishing Chulalongkorn University in 1916, and commissioned a system of locks to control waterway levels surrounding the developing city, he also provided the city's first and largest recreational area, Lumphini Park. The Memorial Bridge was constructed in 1932 to connect Thonburi to Bangkok, which was believed to promote economic growth and modernization in a period when infrastructure was developing considerably. Bangkok became the centre stage for power struggles between the military and political elite as the country abolished absolute monarchy in 1932. It was subject to Japanese occupation and Allied bombing during World War II. With the war over in 1945, British and Indian troops landed in September, and during their brief occupation of the city disarmed the Japanese troops. A significant event following the return of the young king, Ananda Mahidol, to Thailand, intended to defuse post-war tensions lingering between Bangkok's ethnic Chinese and Thai people, was his visit to Bangkok's Chinatown Sam Peng Lane (ซอยสำเพ็ง), on 3 June 1946.

As a result of pro-Western bloc treaties Bangkok rapidly grew in the post-war period as a result of United States developmental aid and government-sponsored investment. Infrastructure, including the Don Mueang International Airport and highways, was built and expanded.  Bangkok's role as an American military R&R destination launched its tourism industry as well as sex trade.  Disproportionate urban development led to increasing income inequalities and unprecedented migration from rural areas into Bangkok; its population surged from 1.8 to 3 million in the 1960s. Following the United States' withdrawal from Vietnam, Japanese businesses took over as leaders in investment, and the expansion of export-oriented manufacturing led to growth of the financial market in Bangkok.  Rapid growth of the city continued through the 1980s and early 1990s, until it was stalled by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. By then, many public and social issues had emerged, among them the strain on infrastructure reflected in the city's notorious traffic jams. Bangkok's role as the nation's political stage continues to be seen in strings of popular protests, from the student uprisings in 1973 and 1976, anti-military demonstrations in 1992, and successive anti-government protests by the "Yellow Shirt" and "Red Shirt" movements from 2008 on.

Administratively, eastern Bangkok and Thonburi had been established as separate provinces in 1915. (The province east of the river was named Phra Nakhon (พระนคร.) A series of decrees in 1971–1972 resulted in the merger of these provinces and its local administrations, forming the current city of Bangkok which is officially known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was created in 1975 to govern the city, and its governor has been elected since 1985.

Are you familiar with America's current HEALTH CRISIS, aka America's #T_H_U_G_L_I_F_E Culture of African American Child Abuse & Emotional Neglect/Maltreatment the late American story-TRUTH-teller Tupac Shakur, as well as many of his urban story-truth-teller peers, including a number of Mr. Barack “My Brother’s Keeper” Obama and Mrs. Michelle "Girl Power" Obama White House guests and friends, vividly describe in their American artistry or public interviews?

"The Hate U Give Little Infants Fvvks Everyone" ~Tupac Shakur

Are you aware of the #A_F_R_E_C_A_N remedy for the #T_H_U_G_L_I_F_E HEALTH CRISIS experienced, through no fault of their own, by significant numbers of American children and teens?

"America’s Firm Resolve to End Childhood Abuse and Neglect”

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Peace.

___

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"America’s Firm Resolve to End Childhood Abuse and Neglect”

Wind Turbines Bring Relief and Resentment to Pakistan

By Zofeen Ebrahim

JHIMPIR, Sindh, Apr 2, 2012 (IPS)--“I still cannot fathom how electricity can be produced by the wind,” said a nonplused Mohammad Ahmed, a 55-year-old local baker, as he gazed at the sky, looking at a row of giant wind turbines.

After the great Pirate-Imperial war of 1789 was over, an era of peace between the two enemies began. Laughter, beer, and many great stories were shared between Pirates and Imperials.

But anger and resentment still lied deep inside both sides. And instead of taking out their anger on each other, they found a common enemy. Seagulls. Loud, annoying, and messy, seagulls were the one thing both sides hated. And so began the great sport of Seagull Blasting, where the Pirates and Imperials would compete to see who could shoot down more seagulls using a cannon. In the background the big wigs of both sides were making bets, because neither side wanted to stop looking for treasure...

Please let me know ASAP of any suggestions you may have. Thanks!

Senior Constable Rose Egan was a fictional character in the long-running Australian police drama Blue Heelers. She was introduced in the series when she came to Mount Thomas police station to do some detective work with PJ as she was going for a job in CI. She was greeted with resentment from Maggie who also hoped to get the same job and she thought PJ was all for her getting it. She remained for several episodes until the station was deemed to have too many officers. Latest arrival Rose was transferred.

Portrayed by Dale Stevens, 1994 – 1995

When routine bites hard, and ambitions are low

And resentment rides high, but emotions won't grow

And we're changing our ways, taking different roads

Then love, love will tear us apart again --

Why is the bedroom so cold? You've turned away on your side

Is my timing that flawed - our respect run so dry?

[or in the Peel and Bains Douches versions:

Is my timing that flawed - have our feelings run dry?]

Yet there's still this appeal that we've kept through our lives

Love, love will tear us apart again --

You cry out in your sleep - all my failings expose

There's a taste in my mouth, as desperation takes hold

Just that something so good just can't function no more

When love, love will tear us apart again --

-JOY DIVISION-

BG Annual Conference 2018 | November 8–10 | ZK/U – Center for Arts and Urbanistics

ambient-revolts.berlinergazette.de

The growing interconnectedness of everyone and everything is transforming our world into an unprecedented techno-social environment. The boundaries between atmosphere and politics are being suspended; already, tiny ruptures can cause cascade-like repercussions – think of cyber-attacks or stock market crashes, right-wing resentment or hashtag-based protest. Such ambient revolts are increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI) – involving human interaction but seemingly beyond human oversight. Set against this backdrop, the conference poses the questions: What are the techno-social logics of both regressive and repressive tendencies? What are emancipatory movements up against? What potential do micro-political acts have in day-to-day life? What regulations of automated systems at the macro level will enable democracy to emerge in the age of AI? The Berliner Gazette conference will explore these questions in the context of performances, lectures and workshops.

More info: projekte.berlinergazette.de/ambient-revolts/

Photo taken by Norman Posselt (berlinergazette.de / cc by nc)

New Spring

Today I find myself listening to the cd Sirocco Ibiza by dj Pippi, which was given to me by the man who was the only witness to one of the most important happenings in my life. He who guided me to a secret place where my old life ended and a new life began. We experienced some of the most fearful moments together, which have changed both of our lives for good.

He drove me to the medical clinic the days after and firmly held my arm while I was trying to shuffle around. The last evening we got into a terrible fight and I knew that the only thing I could do, was find a way to get myself (and my rental car) to the airport the next day. Anything else would have truly meant killing myself. He was there the next morning and I told him I appreciated that, but I would go to the airport alone. I had arranged to let my car be towed away and felt such an enormous relieve when I was on my way home. I had started to listen to my intuïtion and made the right decision, finally (and just in time).

After that morning of our good-bye, I never heard from him again. I don't feel any resentment or anger, but mere gratitude and awe for the amazing journey in which we are constantly giving and receiving exactly what is needed; in which we are sharing all the love and pain and healing ourselves and eachother ♡

The cd sucks, but it brings back the moments when I was driving my car through the Ibiza landscape and he was sitting next to me, talking his head off on our way to another shared adventure. One song touches me deeply and makes my tears flow. The beautiful melodies and minimalistic lyrics are about the fleetingness of life and how little what we hold onto really is...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=12DeNdF0KPA

~

(written: 11-03-17)

The Liberation Monument ("Russian monument")

(Further pictures you can see by clicking on the link at the end of page!)

Officially, one can find various names: (Russian) Liberation Monument, Russian War Memorial and Monument of the Red Army. The Viennese call the towering monument at the southern end of the Black Mountain course (Schwarzenbergplatz) usually disparaging "Russian monument (Russendenkmal)".

The monument commemorating the 18,000 in the liberation of Vienna fallen soldiers of the Red Army was designed by Major Intazarin, the sculptures were created by Lieutenant Jakoviev. The overall direction of the yet in April 1945 ordered and as first monument building after the war completed structure had major Ing. Mikhail Scheinfeld. In the construction were temporarily 400 workers involved, 18 tons of bronze and 300 cubic meters of marble were used. The monument was on 19 August 1945 with the assistance of Karl Renner, Leopold Figl and Theodor Körner unveiled on then so designated Stalin Square.

On a in total 20 m high, marble-clad base, the lower part in the form of a five-pointed red star, decorated with flags and guard badges, stands the 12 m tall figure of a Red Army soldier. The soldier is wearing a gold helmet and the famous Russian submachine gun with rotary magazine. With his left hand he has the flag with the right hand he holds a round shield with the Soviet coat of arms. In the background arises a broad, eight meter high balustrade, at its end respectively one group of two fighting men is situated, a prime example of the style of socialist realism, which gradually has become an art-historical rarity.

One of the inscriptions in Russian only in the early 80s have been translated into German and is:

"Eternal glory to the heroes of the Red Army, killed in action against the German-fascist invaders for the freedom and independence of the peoples of Europe (Mikhalkov)".

Until 1956, there were also graves of Soviet soldiers in the area, and a Soviet tank stood before the monument.

The monument is in the custody of the City of Vienna. As is generally known, Austria is according to the detailed provisions of Article 19 of the State Treaty of 15 May 1955 committed war graves and war memorials of the Allied Powers on Austrian soil "to respect, to protect and to preserve".

Between 1945 and 1956 stood in front of the fountain on the former "Stalin Square" a Russian tank, which is now in the Museum of Military History.

=> Marschik/Spital, Vienna The Russians monument, architecture, history, conflicts, Vienna, 2005

=> Hannes Leidinger/Verena Moritz, Russian Vienna, Böhlau, Vienna, 2004, 182 f

Sometimes leads the memory to the bad experiences which have been made by Austrian people with the occupation forces - particularly the Soviet - ​​in the ten years of Allied occupation to open resentment against monuments such as the "Russian monument". Nevertheless - the greater the distance from the war and post-war period is, the more one had to give account about the fact how much innocent blood just the peoples of the former Soviet Union have sacrificed in the fight against Hitler's rule, and how little the Austrian people to its own liberation has contributed. Such thoughts have got to come to one's mind when one takes some time to decipher the Cyrillic letters of gold on a "Russian monument" - whether on that at Vienna Schwarzenberg Square or somewhere out in the vast realms of Lower Austria, where up to the Waldviertel (part of Lower Austria) little Soviet military cemeteries exist.

A survey by the Gallup Institute, published in the "standard" on 11th February 1992 shows that 71% of Viennes people do know the monument. A clear majority (59 %) is for the preservation of the monument. Only 9% of the 1,000 respondents agreed with the opinion that the monument should be eliminated as a remnant of Stalinism. So, have the Austrians made peace with the contemporary history?

Hochstrahlbrunnen

Before the liberation monument arises the to the occasion of the completion of the First Vienna Mountain Spring Pipeline on 24th October 1873 in the presence of the emperor put into operation Hochstrahlbrunnen (high jet fountain), which should have been standing according to the original plans in front of the Votive Church, then opposite the New Town Hall. The builder of the aqueduct and the fountain, Anton Gabrielli, was a friend of astronomy. Accordingly, symbolizes the respective number of the jets of water the days of the year, the months, the days of the month, the days of the week and the hours of the day.

peter-diem.at/Monumente/russen.htm

Rocinha slum - favela - , Río de Janeiro, Brazil. An agency arranges tours of the favelas and spends part of the gains is on charity in the favelas, mostly on building schools. This means that you're actually welcome - even though some of the young men, reasonably enough, showed signs of resentment.

ICU

By Fielding Edlow

Directed by Brian Shnipper

World Premiere production

Performances Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 7:00pm

September 25 - October 31, 2015

Photos by Jeff Galfer

An obnoxious, caustic, oblivious New York family has to deal with their dying son and a complete stranger who insists on making an “amend.” Can they suppress their resentment toward each other––and toward their son’s irascible charge nurse––long enough to hear a cry for help?

Featuring Caroline Aaron, Shaun Anthony, Tony DeCarlo, Dagney Kerr, Ericka Kreutz, Joe Pacheco, Doug Sutherland

Producers: Tim Wright and Jennifer A. Skinner

Assistant Director: Sam Sonenshine

Stage Manager: Cassandra Scott

Set Design: Amanda Knehans

Lighting Designer: Ric Zimmerman

Costume Designer: Dianne Graebner

Sound Designer: Jeff Gardner

Props: Bethany Tucker

Location: Atwater Village Theatre, Theatre #4, 3269 Casitas Ave., LA CA 90039

Joseph Keynes took up the land in 1841 and his descendants still live and farm in the area. Joseph Keynes (1810-1883) was the eldest son of a Congregational minister in southern England. He was educated by his father and wanted to become a farmer. His father Richard wrote to George Fife Angas in 1838 seeking information on South Australia. Angas offered Joseph the position of overseer of his stock in South Australia. Joseph accepted, arrived in 1839 and managed the farm at Flaxman's Valley for Angas. In 1841 he leased property which became Keyneton Estate. His partnership with Angas was dissolved in 1843 and Keynes declared his bankruptcy in 1846, leaving Angas with £9000 in debts, great resentment and injured pride. But by 1850 the once despairing farmer had become a member of the 'squattocracy', with land in the Barossa Ranges, the Wakefield River valley and at Mount Remarkable. Keynes systematically amassed thousands of acres, wealth and social respect, being a member of the North Rhine District Council from its formation in 1873 to 1883. He died in 1883 at Lockleys and his son Richard took over the property. In 1884 Keynes had married Margaret Ruth Shannon of nearby Moculta.

Returning from Germany’s eastern front in 1918, Menne Spiegel is decorated with the Iron Cross. Twenty-five years later, living as a popular horse merchant in Westphalia, he’s branded with a different insignia: the Star of David. On the eve of a mass deportation of Jews, Spiegel seeks out his old comrade Heinrich Aschoff, a Catholic farmer with a conscience, who instantly agrees to shelter Spiegel’s wife Marga and daughter Karen at his farm despite the risk to his own family. Based on the real Marga Spiegel’s best-selling memoir, Saviors in the Night relates the extraordinary story of the two families’ perilous years together, and with a forthrightness befitting the salt-of-the-earth Aschoff family (later recognized as “Righteous Among the Nations” by Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial for their death-defying act of compassion). Dutch director Ludi Boeken (Other Face of Terror, SFJFF 1986) captures the characters’ vulnerability as they endeavor to escape detection—rarely has a handheld camera felt more appropriate in a historical drama where a child’s thoughtless remark might mean a death sentence. The Aschoffs’ rural village isn’t as malignant as the one in Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon, but the good deeds of the few are undermined by neighbors’ whispers and resentment. Moreover, family bonds are tested, as the Aschoffs must justify their act of courage to a daughter whose friends have joined the Hitler Youth and a son who is fighting on the front. With outstanding performances and a riveting conclusion, Saviors in the Night delivers a powerful message about the price—and rewards—of altruism. This is an extraordinary feature film that powerfully records one memorable instance of moral courage under desperate conditions.—Max Goldberg

Antwerp/Antwerpen/Anvers

Belgium/Belgie/Belgique

March 9, 2011

Antwerp is a most cosmopolitan city. There seems to be a certain indescribable ennui throughout much of Belgium- but not in Antwerp. There is a causal sophistication here. Unlike Bruges, which is stuck in time, and Brussels which seems to have lost its identity in its role on the international stage, Antwerp is vibrating through another golden age.

The area has been settled at least since the Roman era, but really rose to prominence in the 1500’s after the Zwin River silted up and Bruges’ economy collapsed. If Bruges was an incredibly prosperous port whose realm of trade stretched throughout medieval Europe and the Levant, Antwerp was a port of intercontinental scale- one of the first such ports in the world. As part of the Spanish Empire, it brought in goods from as far as the Americas and Asia. Some sources say that in the early 1500’s, Antwerp saw up to 40 percent of global trade, and was one of the largest cities in Europe.

This, of course, is where the city’s cosmopolitanism originated. Merchants from across Europe set up shop in Antwerp, and the spirit of tolerance inherent in most port cities attracted a large population of orthodox Jews. And, as always, wealth attracted the arts, including some of the most prominent painters and musicians of the Northern Renaissance.

Despite this boom period, there was a great underlying tension rising. The Low Countries became swept up by the Protestant Reformation and by a growing resentment of Spanish rule. Violence erupted in 1566, with the Iconoclastic Fury, in which Protestants ransacked towns and churches, destroying Catholic icons. A reason why many Medieval churches in Belgium have interiors adorned in the style of the Renaissance and the Baroque is that so many of the items made before 1566 were lost. The fiercely Catholic Spanish came down hard, and thus began the Eighty Years’ War which resulted in the independence of the Netherlands.

As a city at the heart of the Dutch Revolt, Antwerp suffered mightily. In November of 1576, Spanish troops sacked the city, plundering property and killing 6,000 residents - an event which became known the “Spanish Fury”. In 1585, Spain took full control of Antwerp and expelled the Protestants to the north. The population was reduced by half, and Amsterdam became the new center of international trade.

After this, the city fell into a long period of decline and was revived only in the early 19th century, when Napoleon invested in upgrading the long-neglected port (which the British attempted to capture in a disastrous campaign). In the 1890’s, Antwerp hosted a World’s Fair, and in 1920, the Olympics. The city was heavily damaged by German bombs in WW2, but today is on the rise once again- today ranking among the top 20 of busiest ports in the world- certainly larger than the port of New York. Standing on the bank of the River Scheldt, one can see shipping facilities stretching to beyond the horizon.

And once again, Antwerp is a cosmopolitan place. There is a diverse immigrant community, the arts have returned, and the city is taking a seat among the most prominent fashion centers of the world. 80 percent of the world’s rough diamonds pass through its diamond markets (unfortunately though, this includes many blood diamonds).

In short, there is a lot of action here. By day, the streets bustle with a certain vibrancy and lust for life. By night, bars and restaurants host a sophisticated conviviality. It feels like a new city.

It’s interesting how history works though. Walking at dusk through the Grote Markt, with its magnificent Golden Age houses of trade, under the sublime carillon of the Cathedral, you realize that, though the faces and much of the cityscape have changed, it is, in essence, the same city it was half a millennium ago.