Portrait of a Connoisseur In Lima Peru

[May 14, 2006 Warmness folded down upon Lima, Peru two months later, bringing May and the new election for a president, fluttering along Miraflores Park. It brought, also, a sense of strain to the city, and unsuppressed excitement. Every morning there were international news on this election; dozens of protesters proclaiming their concerns on the television, on the streets, on the radio, and many with their own specific willingness to bear their souls. Layers and layers of folks proclaiming this and that for their candidates throughout every village and town in Peru, they had a tremendous undaunted selection of candidates for president, but ended up now with two: one being a robber they proclaimed, the other a killer also proclaimed by the good citizens of Peru: and both worthy of such reputations I heard [the Killer being in a pre-trial status. The peasantry loved the killer and the business folk loved the robber: so history shall record. Each candidate offering as mu ch as possible, or believable, to everyone: young ladies, family, acquaintances, college boys from Lima to Huancayo, the old, peasants, rich: everyone.

And, naturally, the city caught the contagious air of entre [reception Everyone paid little attention to the pickpockets, and perhaps their chances were increased with this entire inefficient carnival crowd. South America was now in the news; President Alejandro Toledo, made his presentation in Vienna, and told Hugo Chavez (President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela) where to go, and a few words for President Evo Morales: a friendly crowd indeed. Everyone got on the bandwagon throwing dirt here and there during the early stages of this election.

Alan Garcias wife (Alan Garcia being once President of Peru) was now smiling on TV, it seemed to be a task a month earlier, but her husband was going into the second round now; and Ollanta Humalas wife was telling Hugo Chavez to shut up, youre not doing our campaign any good: so mething like that. And I walked quietly down to El Parquetito and had my lunch during all of this. Walking along the park in the afternoons by the Monkey Man, and his aging monkey, and Victor the Photographer, who has been taking pictures in that very park for some forty-years.

Now being Mid-May, it was getting [is getting colder each day, and the sun comes out slowly, and usually at first with a definitely cold mist, got to wear those knee-length sheep-lined socks, being from the Midwest, it does not look too fashionable, but I give it my approval. I wear my soft hat, discreet dark brown, another gray.

The Monkey Man always enthusiastically involved with Ms monkey, and on the weekends the painters put their paintings on the road by the park (as they had done today), Chusty today did a free painting for me, playfulness, is what he painted, in a playful manner, and gave me one of those inevitable hand-shakes. His hands cold as the devil, people freeze easily h ere in Lima, I think. Many folk here fight bronchitis/pneumonia this time of year, the mist gets into their lungs, Lima being next to the ocean; darned weather.

On another note, I must say, I love Lima, and Huancayo, but the beggars drive me crazy in Lima (Miraflores), they are characters here though, they borrow or loan babies, and walk around with their hands out for coins, casuallyyou know, just as though I were waiting for them to take my extra money: such a burden to carry on my ownmany have no blood in the face, and if I give them a coin, they ask for a second coin, the next day, and the next and the next daythus, Ive learned the Peruvian philosophy: give them a hand, and they will take your arm (something like that: but of course not everyone).

These beggars walk briskly around the park here, lots of effort and exercise in their line of work, if only they could direct it into working in a more reliable, respectable job. It kind of goes like this, I say:

Get a job, I tell them, after giving them a few coins.

Nowhere is job, they tell me.

Well, then whats the use? and I walk away.

They stand staring at me, then at each other; they have a team I think, they go to sit over by the Haiti Restaurant, and joke and laugh, and then they put on the sad face, and almost cry, and if you could give out awards for acting, theyd be first in my line.

I learned I cant hide in this society of dark hair, dark eyes, bronze skinned people: Im as white as a ghost, my eyes as blue as the sea, with a tint of green. I have to hide when the Taxi man stops to pick up my wife and me to drive us home: it is only 7-soles to our house, but once they see me, it is 20-soles; the gringo gets to them: they think 7-soles are pennies for me, how uncouth can you be, but I suppose America gives off that aroma. After they see me, after a moment, they open the door. I dont blame them, get it while you can, it is how most live here, n ot forecasting, but rather, surviving a day at a time. And most are good hardworking folks, but you got this young healthy crowd of beggars that figure if I ask 100-people, 10-will give me a sol or two, and if I ask 1000-Ill make more money than working, so why work. The odds end up in their favor, Im sure they are hoping the planes do not stop landing at the airport with new tourists.

They like to talk, the Peruvians, I suppose I do in a way also, but apologetically, I must say, I usually do my thinking while reading, or writing, I mean, when Im sitting down drinking coffee, I dont ponder so much or talk; or in a cab have ongoing conversations of my lifes story (they often ask: Where you from? they ask my wife, because they cant speak English, and they know Im not Spanish, or Peruvian, and I answer in Spanish, and they give me a double look). They do in a way, politely encourage this, thus, I can hear now and then grunts for me to talk, but my wife has that magic lant ern and talks for me.

Slowly, I walk down and around the Park in Miraflores, watch the lit cigarettes smoke flow in the air, blow with the wind as I breathe into the air.

Lets go to the movies, my little lovely wife says, no, lets go to Ripley and buyno lets go to see Juan down at the Favorite Caf we usually end up at one of those locations.

She is sleeping now, it is 11:13 PM, and we had an enthusiastic day, I must say.

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Author:: Dennis Siluk
Keywords:: Article
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Old Josh: Goes Fishing Ozark Alabama 1864/Chapter Episode Five

Old Josh lived on the Hightower Plantation where chores were unlimited and entertainment had to be manufactured by it self, or by those who wanted it. He: Josh was a sharecropper when he was young, back in his 80s; he also fed the pigs, milked cows, churning milk into butter; his son now went about husking corn. I suppose in a if you wanted fun, you had to find it, especially in those far off days in Alabama.

His sister was raised like him, on the land Hightower owned; his wife died there and his two sons were raised there.

Today his job was to wring necks, chicken necks. He didnt mind doing it, not a bad job, this was during the days of the civil war, 1863-64, when freedom for the salves were being churned just like the butter. Most of what old Josh lived on was bacon, cornbread and lots of cabbage, and a slice of chicken now and then.

His sons Silas and Toby were both men now, and tried for the most part to keep old Josh in some kind of peaceful mood, he was or could be quite disruptive.

Old granny fixed the food for the Hightower boys, shed ring the bell and the hot biscuits and honeycombed chicken would be ready; old Josh would go down to the creek then and fish, catch those catfish, and a squirrel, and cook them up, and make funny sounds like: ding ring, ding-a-ring, pretending he was calling the Hightower boys for their meals. Oh he didnt hate the boys, or even the Hightowers, he was just a ting resentful, and so when it was working time, hed go fishing often to spite them in his silent way.

He was today, at the creek fishing, talking to himself, and doing his little bell play. The backwoods was his getaway. Today Silas was looking for him, and found him fishing, a string on his big toe, and two fish cooking, laying back on a rock with his jacket under his neck.

I ain known Look like he wants to git out er draggin dis here string all the ways down the Mississ-ippy. Woops-he gon, he guh see him kin l ike me I suppose. Who wid him? (he looked deep into the waters)

(Yes the fish escaped, and Silas was looking down on him, and old Josh knew, thats why he was talking the was he was of course; he had looked for him back at the barn, saying, Ain nobody wid him he left here by his self. And he got worried about his papa, and went looking.)

(Silas) I sho aint loves to wander round des here woods by my lonesome, You aint token nothing to eat wid ya!

(Josh) I recken dte old fish must er had some kind er trouble

(Silas approaches his father closer, helps him up, takes him on back to his shack)

(Silas) Yous sho looks like you loves to fish deese here creek by you self.

(It soon would be twilight)

Note: Episode Five 8/2005/Revised 11/2005

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com You can see Dennis' books at http://www.Alibris.com or http://www.abe.com

Author:: Dennis Siluk
Keywords:: Episode story
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Peterhof the Imerial Summer Residence by the Sea

Peterhof, Russia is a small suburb of the former Imperial capitol of Russia. It is located a pleasant one hour hydro-foil ride across a portion of the Baltic Sea from St. Petersburg. In the winter one needs to go by electric train or by some sort of wheeled transport. It is a fact that Peterhof has literally thousands of sister city relationships across the world. Peter I started it all when he chose the spot on which his palace rests as a recreational spot when sailing the Baltic. It is for sure that once upon a time it was a favorite spot for him to use as a duck hunting spot. His interest in Peterhof began in 1705 and in 1714 he began to build his fabulous palace complex.

On 15 August, 1723, Peter celebrated the opening of the grand cascade and the sixteen fountains that to this day still dominate the landscape. In the last three hundred years ongoing work has made this one of the most famous in the world. The palace is a fantastic and beautiful example of Russian Baroque architecture filled with beautiful rooms and marvelous art. From the very beginning Peterhof was a source of amazement to both foreign visitors and Russian alike. I have been there on dozens of occasions and in all seasons of the year. I have never been disappointed and felt as i f I had seen enough of this spectacular setting.

As beautiful and endearing as the palace is what makes this one of the finite wonders of the world is the ingenuity and planning that went into the magnificent fountains and the grounds. The grounds are a marvelous combination of nature allowed to flourish and grow in a natural state mixed with the most beautifully groomed formal gardens one could hope to see. Peter and later Tsars were well served by some of the most talented architects that ever lived. The illustrious list includes Alexander Le Blond, Johann Braunstein, Niccolo Michetti, and Mikhail Zemstov. The grounds are sprinkled with the sculptors of Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli and one of the greatest fountain masters of all time, Paul Sualem. The fountains form a wonderful combination of whimsical and changing pattern of water jets and streams that culminate with the Samson Fountain and the Grand Cascade. The Grand Cascade consists of 241 statues and other forms o f world class sculpture. Even though German invaders stole some of the most famous originals they have been painstakingly recreated. The Neptune Fountain in front of the palace is a little like the German fountain at Ludwigsberg but larger and more grand.

The Monplaisir Complex consists of a number of small pavilions erected by Peter the Great and was one of his favorite recreational places. To be able to see this marvelous combination of architecture and nature in full bloom is a treat that makes the trip to Russia more than worth while. The same may be said of the brilliant fall colors and the stately white blanket of snow that covers everything in winter. There are several fish ponds built on the grounds as well as a small Hermitage. There are just too many beautiful features to list in this newsletter but believe me Peterhof must be seen to be believed! I only hope as many people that can go to Peterhof will take advantage of this marvelous opportunity.

Michael E. Donnelly, PhD
Find more at http://www.mmarttravel.com

Author:: Michael Donnelly
Keywords:: Russian travel, Russia, peter the great, Peterhof palace, hermitage museum, st. petersburg, Peterhof
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The Soul of Bollywood Dance!

Most Indian dances are based on the treatise Natyashastra by the sage Bharata Muni, which explains the Indian art of acting. Acting or Natya is a broad concept which encompasses both drama and dance.

The Natya Shastra was written by the sage Bharata Muni who, it is claimed, was directly inspired by GOD Brahma. The Natya Shastra is incredibly wide in its scope. It consists of minutely detailed precepts for both playwrights and actors. Bharata describes 15 types of drama ranging from one to ten acts. In addition, he lays down principles for stage design, makeup, costume, dance (various movements and gestures), a theory of aesthetics (rasas and bhavas), acting, directing and music, each in individual chapter.

Though its main theme is drama, Natyashastra deals with dance also at considerable length. On one hand, it elaborates various gestures of hands, and on the other, classifies such gestures and movements as either graceful or vigorous; the former, defining the 'lalita' form of dance - 'lasya'; and the latter, its vigorous form 'tandava'. Dance is classified under four categories and into four regional varieties.

The bollywood dances is a jumble of all these gestures and movements, and as per current trend. Hindi film dance steps are easy to learn. If you are a newbie then you can better take bollywood dancing lessons classes from Hindi film dance choreographers or join any classical dance academy/school. Its easy for you to learn bollywood dance steps if you are a born dancer with the blessing of almighty GOD.

Recently NDM dance studios four dancers won four Beauty Pageant titles on August 19, 2006 in USA, California. You can join NDM Dance Studios if you live in the Los Angeles area.You can read more about Nakul Dev Mahajan, the founder & choreographer of NDM Dance Studios at http://www.ndmdance.com/choreographer.php.

Source: http://www.ndmdance.com/article/bollywooddances.php

Deepak Rajput is the autho r & co-creator of e-commerce websites and information products. His involvement in developing, marketing and operting various online businesses for himself and clients is noticiable since 2002. You can also check his blog for SEO & SEM related articles at -- http://www.semflicks.blogspot.com

Author:: Deepak Rajput
Keywords:: Bollywood Choreographers, bollywood dance lessons, bollywood dancing lessons, california dance team
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Admiralty Lawyer & Maritime Law Attorneys Offshore Accident Lawsuits

For thousands of years human civilization has depended on the oceans and waterways for a variety of needs such as transportation, trade, and recreation. As society improved over the course of the centuries, our dependence on the waterways has not diminished. Now, in the 21st century, the United States relies on seaborne trade for large and irreplaceable portions of the modern economy. In order to administer the thousands upon thousands of ships, boats, and vessels registered in the U.S., the United States Government set up a number of maritime and admiralty laws that help clarify and organize the myriad situations that can occur on the water.

Admiralty and maritime laws are made up of statutes that cover activities that take place on any vessel that flies an American flag. These rules originally covered injuries and accidents that afflicted inland water workers, victims of air crashes that occur over the waters, and those who support ships while they are loading and unloading cargo and operating in port, but in recent years coverage has expanded to a number of other specialized areas.

The three main American maritime laws are the Jones Act, the Death on the High Seas Act, and the Longshoreman and Harbor Workers Compensation Act. The Jones Act is a set of rules that establish the qualifications of a sailor or seamen, and the specific conditions that will enable them to collect compensation should they suffer an injury while performing their duties. The Longshoreman and Harbor Workers Compensation Act is similar to the Jones Act, but covers workers who function as land-based support personnel. The Death on the High Seas Act covers deaths of not only seamen and sailors, but also people who die in plane crashes on the open waters.

One of the most controversial aspects of modern maritime law deals with the status of oil rig workers. These workers are not technically seamen or sailors in the traditional sense, but neverthe less spend significant amounts of time on the water on platforms that are towed onto the open sea but not permanently fixed to the ocean floor. Most activities associated with offshore oil rigging, including the helicopters that ferry personnel to the platform and the service personnel who supply provisions and provide maintenance, are covered under these maritime law statutes.

Commercial fisherman have some of the most dangerous and underappreciated jobs in modern America. Thousands of fisherman ply the open seas, rivers, and lakes every day, and sadly, some of them never make it back to home port. A great many of these sailors, seamen, mariners, and fisherman are covered under the maritime laws of the United States, and they or their relatives can sometimes collect compensation for the accidents that occur throughout the maritime world. The fishing industry is a vital component of the American economy, and it is shameful when these brave workers are taken advanta ge of by callous and indifferent employers.

To learn more about admiralty law or hiring a maritime lawyer, please visit our website at http://www.resource4admiraltylaw.com This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyperlinks.

Author:: Todd Going
Keywords:: admiralty lawyer lawsuit attorney
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The Islamic Deception

Google the phrase Muslim violence, and more than 29 million entries pop up. Granted, some of these citations represent violence committed against Muslims, but, unfortunately, quite a few represent violence committed in the name of Islam.

This makes me wonder: What does Islam really stand for? I hear a great deal about Muslims who do not believe in violence. Yet, it seems that this is a troubling form of faith that rewards people for committing acts of violence .

Imagine if Klansman David Duke claimed he was part of the Ku Klux Klan but was not a racistthat he just liked wearing sheets. Wouldnt that be a little hard to accept as a credible concept?

While it may seem outrageously politically incorrect to do so, a number of individuals are openly questioning whether the Muslim religion is truly a religion of peace. Some of these individuals are disaffected Muslims who feel as if they were sold a bill of goods by Islamic leaders. They believe they were betrayedand they worry that others may be hoodwinked into believing that the Islamic faith is one of peace, love, and harmony.

Is lamic regimes have been responsible for major human rights violations, especially against religious minority groups and women. Even some Muslims openly admit the religion has a history of violenceat least dating back to the 12th century. While some Muslims have openly called for a peace movement within their religion, the fact of the matter is that, year after year, the news pages are filled with instances of Muslim violence.

Another important thing to keep in mi nd here is that lying is actually sanctioned within the Islamic religion. As Islam spreads throughout the West, Americans need to be particularly vigilant, recognizing the fact that Muslim activists may try to deceive us into believing that they do not endorse violence, when their actions say otherwise. A number of Muslims artfully neglect to mention the more controversial aspects of Islamic writings and teachings.

For instance, the Koran is often quoted selectively to indicate that the religion stands for peace and tolerance. But after Mohammed migrated to Medina, the Koran became filled with passages showing not only prejudice a nd intolerance, but the endorsement of violence.

For example, Mohammed, a supposed prophet of peace, commanded his army to kill a Jewish tribe. Obviously, killing is the most extreme form of violence one can engage in, and it is appalling that a religious leader would sanction what can euphemistically be described as ethnic cleansing. The Koran contends that the only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such lines of text could never be confused with the lyrics to Let There Be Peace on Earth.

Its hard to reconcile such writings with the popular image of Islam as a peace-loving religion that is being unfairly attacked. The fact is, the media are often complicit in this deception. News reports suggest that violence is perpetrated by extremists or fundamentalists , leading the average Westerner to believe that mainstream Islam does not condone any form of violence.

Because of Islams traditional acceptance of lying, its entirely possible that, when Islamic leaders speak, they are not speaking the unadulterated truth. In fact, they may say one thing and believe something entirely different.

In the end, by their fruits you will know themand, regrettably, the fruits of Islam are often destruction, violence and Death.

Author:: Nathan Tabor
Keywords:: Republican, Democrat, Commentary, Politics, Death, Muslim
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How Do I Make My Dozen Roses Look Right?

When I first stArted to design Flowers I often heard how designers had difficulty making a dozen roses look nice. That it was hard to keep the roses in place. But it is really very easy to do if you know a few simple basics.

1)First prepare the rose by taking off the bottom half of the leaves and popping off the thorns (if they have them).

2)Cut the rose slantwise under water (so they dont get an air pocket that prevents them from drinking) and place in small bucket or vase that has warm water and flower food.

3)Make sure you have the right size vase. Too small and youll have them all standing up straight and it will look funny. Too big and youll have way too much space to fill in. This may sound common sense but believe me; all beginning designers have made this mistake.

Th ere are two ways that I have found to be the best:

a)Fill a vase with water of the way full.

b)Take your greens (usually leather leaf) and stArt putting them in the vase stArting from the outside all around and moving inward. The greens should be crisscrossing themselves. This gives a good stiff base for the roses to be able to stand without flopping. Or:

a)Take a dry vase and clear floral tape. You can get this at a craft store and it is very sticky and water proof.

b)Use this tape at the top of the vase by making a grid. You should leave enough room to allow the stem and greens to pass through.

c)Fill the vase with water and flower food and stArt putting your greens in, same as before, stArt inserting from outside towards the inside stems crossing each other. The advantage to using the grid is you can use less greens.

d)Now you are ready to place the roses in.

In most floral designing you design from the outside inward. Bu t for roses I prefer the opposite. I stArt with what I call the anchor rose. I take my longest stem and stick it right in the middle. If you have done your greening correctly, is should stand straight up. Place the next 4 roses in around the first rose but slightly shorter. Continue in this fashion until all roses have been placed. Now stand back and look at it to see if you need to make any adjustments. Then place in the filler of your choice such as babies breath. Finish with a bow and enjoy your creation.

There are many ways to place the roses but remember, keep it simple. Dont make it complicated. There is a beautiful motivational print called Beauty-White Magnolia that says, appreciate simplicity. Thats my motto.

Enjoy!

Willie Jones

Willie Jones is a freelance writer, researcher, floral designer, and Artist. When Art Inspires, Dreams can Become Reality. http://www.Artinspires.com Make sure you enroll in the free motivational poster dra wing. All winners receive a free framed print.

Author:: Willie Jones
Keywords:: motivational prints,motivational posters, Art, Artwork,floral pictures,Flowers,floral designing
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