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mokshabongs · 11 months

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The Evolution of Bongs Culture: Exploring the Rise of Bong Online Shopping

In recent years, the popularity of bongs, a type of smoking device used for consuming cannabis, has skyrocketed. With the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis in various regions, there has been a surge in the demand for bongs. Simultaneously, the advent of online shopping has revolutionized the way people purchase bongs, providing them with a convenient and discreet alternative. This article delves into the evolution of bong culture and examines the growing trend of buying bongs online. By exploring the benefits, challenges, and impact of this phenomenon, we aim to understand the reasons behind the increasing popularity of online bongs shopping.

Section 1: The History and Culture of Bongs

To understand the significance of bongs in contemporary society, it is essential to explore their history and cultural associations. Bongs have been used for centuries and have deep roots in various civilizations. From ancient Egypt to China, bongs have played a role in religious ceremonies, social gatherings, and personal rituals. Over time, they have evolved in design and functionality, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of users. In recent decades, bongs have become emblematic of cannabis culture, both as collectible art pieces and practical smoking devices.

Section 2: The Rise of Online Bong Shopping

The proliferation of online platforms has brought about a significant transformation in the bong market. Previously, purchasing bongs involved visiting physical smoke shops or relying on local networks. However, the emergence of bong online shopping has revolutionized the accessibility and convenience of acquiring these items. With just a few clicks, enthusiasts can now browse through a vast array of bongs from the comfort of their homes. This shift has democratized the market, allowing consumers from all walks of life to access a wide range of products, from basic designs to intricate, handcrafted masterpieces.

Section 3: Benefits and Advantages of Buying Bongs Online

The rise of online bong shopping is fueled by numerous advantages that cater to the preferences of modern consumers. Firstly, the convenience factor cannot be understated. Online platforms enable customers to explore an extensive selection of bongs at any time, eliminating the need for physical travel and offering discrete packaging options. Additionally, online retailers often offer competitive prices, discounts, and promotions, making bongs more affordable and accessible. Moreover, online reviews and customer feedback provide valuable insights into the quality and functionality of different products, aiding potential buyers in making informed decisions.

Section 4: Challenges and Considerations

While online glass bong shopping offers several benefits, there are also challenges to consider. One significant concern is the lack of physical inspection before purchase, which may result in discrepancies between the expected and received products. To mitigate this risk, reputable online retailers often provide detailed product descriptions, high-resolution images, and customer support to address inquiries. Another challenge lies in the legality of purchasing bongs in certain regions. Although the sale of bongs for tobacco use is legal in many places, some jurisdictions have restrictions or prohibitions on their sale for cannabis-related purposes. It is crucial for buyers to familiarize themselves with local laws and regulations to ensure compliance.

Section 5: The Impact on Bong Culture and Industry

The surge in online bong shopping has had a profound impact on both the Acrylic bong culture and industry. Firstly, it has facilitated a broader reach and global exposure for bong artists and manufacturers. Independent artists can now showcase their unique creations to a wider audience, transcending geographical boundaries. This exposure has led to increased recognition and appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship involved in bong production.

Moreover, the online market has sparked innovation and diversification in bong designs. With a vast customer base and increased competition, manufacturers are compelled to create innovative and visually striking bongs to attract buyers. This has resulted in the emergence of unique styles, materials, and features, catering to various preferences and needs. Online platforms have become hubs for creativity and experimentation, driving the evolution of bong aesthetics.

Additionally, the convenience of online shopping has influenced the way bong enthusiasts connect and engage with one another. Online communities and forums provide spaces for individuals to share their experiences, discuss the latest trends, and recommend products. This virtual interaction has fostered a sense of community and collaboration among bong enthusiasts worldwide, creating a supportive network for knowledge-sharing and exploration.

Conclusion

The rise of online bong shopping has transformed the way enthusiasts and casual users alike acquire their smoking devices. With the convenience, affordability, and extensive selection offered by online platforms, the popularity of buying bongs online continues to grow. However, it is essential for buyers to exercise caution and research reputable retailers to ensure a satisfactory purchasing experience. As bong culture evolves and adapts to the digital age, online platforms provide an exciting avenue for users to explore and enhance their smoking experiences. By embracing

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braintag · 1 year

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Top 7 places to visit in Sikkim

Sikkim is a beautiful state nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas in India. Sikkim is a must-visit location for anyone wishing to experience the best of the Himalayas.

It is known for its amazing scenery, colorful culture, and kind hospitality. Here are the top 7 Sikkim destinations you must see if you're thinking about visiting.

Gangtok Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim and the hub of all activity in the state. It serves as the Gangtok District's administrative center. At a height of 1,650 m (5,410 ft), Gangtok is located in the eastern Himalayan range. The 100,000 residents of the city are from a variety of Sikkimese ethnic groups, including Indian Gorkhas, Bhutia, and Lepchas. Gangtok serves as the center of Sikkim's tourism sector and is located among the higher Himalayan ranges, where the climate is warm and temperate all year round. Gangtok is a must-visit location because of its humming markets, vibrant culture, and incredible views of the Himalayas. Many monasteries and temples can be found in the city, including the Rumtek Monastery and the Enchey Monastery, both of which are significant religious sites. Tsomgo Lake Tsomgo Lake, also known as Tsongmo Lake or Changgu Lake, is a glacial lake in the East Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim, some 40 kilometers (25 mi) from the capital Gangtok. Located at an elevation of 3,753 m (12,313 ft), the lake remains frozen during the winter season. The lake's surface reflects different colors with the change of seasons and is held in great reverence by the local Sikkimese people. Buddhist monks prognosticated after studying the changing colors of the lake. Tourist attractions at the lake site include joy rides on decorated yaks and mules where kiosks offer a variety of food and drinks. There is also a small Shiva temple on the bank of the lake. As the lake is located in a restricted area it is essential for all Indians visiting the area to obtain permits. In the case of foreign nationals special permit is essential. The lake is famous for its crystal-clear waters that change colors throughout the day and is bordered by snow-capped mountains. Nathula Nathula is a mountain pass in the Dongkya Range of the Himalayas between China's Yadong County in Tibet, and the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal in Bengal, South Asia. The pass, which rises to a height of 4,310 meters (14,140 feet), connects Gangtok and Kalimpong with the settlements in the lower Chumbi Valley. Winters in Nathula Pass bring a lot of snowfall. This region could experience temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius. If you really enjoy the snow, you can wear heavy wool clothing and explore Nathula Pass in the winter. The summer season, when the temperature hovers around 10 degrees Celsius, lasts from May to mid-November. Yumthang Valley The Yumthang Valley, also known as the Sikkim Valley of Flowers sanctuary, is a natural preserve in the North Sikkim district of Sikkim state in India that features a river, hot springs, yaks, and grazing pasture on undulating meadows. At a distance of 150 kilometers (93 miles) from the state capital Gangtok, it is located at an elevation of 3,564 meters (11,693 ft) above mean sea level. A trip to Yumthang Valley is never complete without taking a yak ride. Yumthang Chu and Puniya Chu, two nearby rivers with good fishing, are close by. And only 7-8 kilometers away lies the stunning Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, a 35 square km field home to over 38 distinct species of rhododendrons. A hiker's trail goes to a little bridge that crosses over to the Yumthang Hot Spring on the way to the Yumthang Valley. What is surprising about this location is that the water coming from there stays warm even during the coldest temperatures. Additionally, due to the high sulphur content, it is thought to have medicinal value for healing. In addition to the hot spring, there is a very well-known Shiva Temple about 7 km to the north. Another extremely well-liked trekking location is Zero Point, which is about 23 km from the Yumthang valley at an elevation of approximately 15,000 ft, not far from the Chinese border. Its outstanding visual appeal and unimpeded view of the snowy peaks make it extremely appealing to hikers. Pelling Pelling is a mountainous town in Sikkim, India's Gyalshing district. Pelling is tucked away at a height of 2,150 meters (7,200 feet). The settlement lies 10 kilometers from Gyalshing City, the district's administrative center, and 131 kilometers from Gangtok. The two towns are linked by a frequent bus service. However, due to the increase in visitors, the area is changing, with the construction of hotels and repairs to the roads. At an altitude of 2000 meters, Pelling experiences summer temperatures as high as 25 degrees Celsius and winter temperatures as low as 1 degree Celsius. In the summer, it is quite warm and comfortable. July through September is when the monsoons occur. Pelling can be visited throughout the year, however, it is advisable to stay away from a trip during the monsoon seas Lachung Lachung is a town and hill station in northeast Sikkim, India. It is situated close to the Tibet border in the North Sikkim district. Lachung is located at the junction of the Lachen and Lachung Rivers, both of which are tributaries of the River Teesta and is at a height of approximately 9,600 feet (2,900 m). Lachung means "small pass" in Chinese. The town is located about 125 kilometers (78 miles) from Gangtok, the state's capital. Lachung is an offbeat destination, untampered by the hues of modernization. It is a popular destination amongst those that love time with nature. If you wish to explore the best of Sikkim, then a trip to Lachung is a must! This little town is filled with nature’s magnificence and glory. Here, you can enjoy the peace and also indulge in activities that will get your adrenaline rushing. Rumtek Monastery Rumtek Monastery, also known as the Dharma Chakra Centre, is a gompa that can be found in the Indian state of Sikkim, close to the state's capital Gangtok. The 16th Karmapa officially opened in 1966 as the Gyalwang Karmapa's seat-in-exile. The issue surrounding the 17th Karmapa is also a focal point for the sectarian conflicts that exist within the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Rumtek Monastery's weather is very similar to Gangtok City's because of its proximity. The optimum times to visit Rumtek Monastery are thought to be from March to June and from October to December because the summers and autumn months are nice. Avoid the monsoon, though, as the persistent rain might ruin your trip and make sightseeing challenging. In conclusion, Sikkim is a wonderful state with breathtaking scenery, a thriving culture, and kind people. Sikkim offers something for everyone, whether you want to get a close-up view of the Himalayan up close, learn about the regional culture and cuisine, or just relax and unwind in a peaceful environment. Therefore, be sure to include these top 7 locations in your itinerary if you're planning a trip to Sikkim. To read more blogs – Click Here Read the full article

#bestplacesinsikkim #bestplacestovisitinsikkim #placestoseeinsikkim #placestovisit #placestovisitindarjeelingandgangtok #placestovisitinnortheastindia #placestovisitinsikkim #placestovisitinsikkimgangtok #sikkim #sikkimbestplacestovisit #sikkimfamousplaces #sikkimplacestovisit #sikkimtouristplaces #top10placestovisitinsikkim #top7placestovisitingangtoksikkim #top7placestovisitinsikkim #topplacesinsikkim

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newstfionline · 1 year

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Sunday, April 9, 2023

Joyous Holy Week celebrations around the world (AP) From dressing as Roman soldiers in Antigua, Guatemala, to carrying palm fronds on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, Christians around the world are celebrating Holy Week. For millions of Christians, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, known as Holy Week, is the most sacred time of the year. It’s the week Christians commemorate the passion of Jesus Christ. The week began with Palm Sunday, where mass at the Vatican was celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square the day after he was discharged from the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, where the Vatican said he was treated for bronchitis. In Bolivia’s highland region, artists gathered for an annual event where they built sand sculptures based on Bible stories. Members of the faithful in Brazil wore tunics and hoods to take part in the Procession of Souls in Goiás state. And in Managua, Nicaragua, a child dressed as an angel during an event observing Good Friday. In recent years, Holy Week has been scaled back due to COVID-19 restrictions that require precautions such as social distancing and mask use. However, this year many of the faithful gathered in celebrations reminiscent of the era before the virus changed the nature of religious observance.

Stabbing of Cash App Creator Raises Alarm, and Claims of ‘Lawless’ San Francisco (NYT) The fury erupted within hours, as word spread that the 43-year-old man who had been stabbed to death this week in an enclave of high-rise condominiums near the Bay Bridge was Bob Lee, a well-known tech executive. The leaders of “lawless” San Francisco had Mr. Lee’s “literal blood on their hands,” Matt Ocko, a tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist in Palo Alto, Calif., tweeted. “I hate what San Francisco has become,” added Michael Arrington, the founder of the industry blog TechCrunch. “Violent crime in SF is horrific,” Elon Musk, the chief executive of Twitter and Tesla, chimed in. The drumbeat has built since then in the liberal city that only last year recalled its progressive district attorney amid calls for law and order and deepening frustration over the city’s homelessness crisis. While city officials agree that the murder is a terrifying tragedy and a signal that San Francisco has work to do on public safety, they’re also clashing with powerful figures in the tech sector over the nature and severity of the city’s problems with crime. The tension comes at a precarious time, as the tech industry implodes with layoffs and San Francisco itself struggles to bring visitors, conventions and legions of remote workers back to the too-quiet area in and around its downtown.

Resurgent remittances in Mexico (Foreign Policy) Flows of money sent to Mexico from abroad are at historic highs. This February, total remittances to the country accounted for 11 percent more than they did in February 2022, according to Mexico’s central bank. In 2021, Mexico surpassed China to become the country that receives the second-largest amount of remittances in the world. (India is no. 1.) The high tallies may reflect the post-pandemic economic recovery in the United States, where the bulk of the Mexican diaspora lives, the Economist reported.

Deadly Attack Exposes Growing Threat in Mexico: the Military (NYT) Gustavo Ángel Suárez Castillo, an American citizen from San Antonio, piled six friends, including two brothers, into his white pickup truck with Texas plates just before dawn, having spent the night celebrating the news that he was going to be a father. Suddenly, four vehicles filled with armed men began chasing and firing at them. The pickup truck crashed and as the passengers tumbled out, the armed men threw some to the ground, shooting one in the back, survivors told The New York Times. One recounted how he watched his brother slowly stop breathing while the assailants blocked medics from arriving. When it ended, five of the men, including Mr. Suárez, were dead and the other two severely injured. The attackers? Uniformed Mexican soldiers. The shooting in the city of Nuevo Laredo in the early hours of Feb. 26 has been called a coldblooded execution by the survivors and a top government official. So far, four of the 21 soldiers involved in the encounter have been arrested and the case is under investigation by civilian prosecutors and the military. The episode has deepened concerns about the growing footprint of Mexico’s armed forces, which has not only been put in charge of domestic security, but has also been given a rapidly expanding portfolio of businesses, like a new international airport and a major rail line.

Sweden Says State Actor Blew up Nord Stream Pipeline (AP) According to a new statement by Swedish investigators, it’s most likely that a state actor was behind the explosions that took out the Nord Stream gas pipelines late last year. “Our hope is to be able to confirm who has committed this crime,” said the public prosecutor leading the investigation, though he warned that “it should be noted that it likely will be difficult given the circumstances.” While Ukraine and some in the U.S. have blamed Russia for the attacks, investigations have returned a mixed bag of suspects: the New York Times has suggested that a pro-Ukrainian group was behind the attacks, while German media pinned them on a yacht operated by a pro-Ukraine Polish company. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh also released a report blaming the U.S. for the explosions, though Washington and the U.S. media have dismissed him.

Kremlin says its strategic aim in Ukraine is to create a ‘new world order’ (Guardian) Moscow wants any Ukraine peace talks to focus on creating a “new world order”, the French press agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) quotes Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as saying. “Any negotiation needs to be based on taking into account Russian interests, Russian concerns. It should be about the principles on which the new world order will be based.” According to the agency, he added that Russia rejects a “unipolar world order led by ‘one hegemon’.” Russia has long said it was leading a struggle against US dominance over the international stage, and argues the Ukraine offensive is part of that fight. The Kremlin said this week it had no choice but to continue its offensive, seeing no diplomatic solution.

Facing critical ammunition shortage, Ukrainian troops ration shells (Washington Post) The artillery shells were stored in a shallow mud dugout, covered with a black plastic tarp to keep them safe. Just 14 rounds remained—evidence of a critical ammunition shortage that has the Ukrainians scrambling for ways to conserve supply until their Western allies can produce or procure more. The artillery platoon, with the 59th Motorized Brigade in eastern Ukraine, used to fire more than 20 or 30 shells per day with their Soviet-era howitzer. Now, they typically shoot one or two, or none at all. The ammunition that has pounded parts of Ukraine daily for more than a year has become a precious resource in the artillery war with Russia—and which side conserves shells and rearms faster could turn the tide on the battlefield. Even amid a shortage, Ukraine is firing some 7,700 shells per day, or roughly one every six seconds. Russia, which may also be running low, is firing more—by some estimates triple that amount.

China flies fighter jets near Taiwan after leader’s US trip (AP) China sent warships and dozens of fighter jets toward Taiwan on Saturday, the Taiwanese government said, in retaliation for a meeting between the U.S. House of Representatives speaker and the president of the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. The Chinese military announced the start of three-day “combat readiness patrols” as a warning to Taiwanese who want to make the island’s de facto independence permanent. The People’s Liberation Army gave no indication whether they might include a repeat of previous exercises with missiles fired into the sea, which disrupted shipping and airline flights. On Saturday, eight warships and 42 planes were detected near Taiwan, 29 of which crossed the middle line of the strait that separates the island from the mainland, the island’s Ministry of Defense said.

A Historic Handshake (1440) Saudi Arabia and Iran formally reestablished diplomatic relations On Thursday, a significant milestone in the relationship between two of the largest powers in the Middle East. The pair cut off ties seven years ago after Saudi embassies in Iran were attacked following the Saudi execution of a popular Shia cleric. Saudi Arabia and Iran have been engaged in a regional power struggle for decades, exacerbated by the differing sectarian religious views—Saudi is roughly 90% Sunni Muslim, while Iran is about 90% Shia Muslim. The regional conflict has also become a proxy for greater world powers, with Saudi Arabia generally working with the West and Iran forging close ties with Russia and China. Notably, the deal was brokered by China, marking one of the country’s biggest diplomatic moves in modern geopolitics.

Tesla workers shared sensitive images recorded by customer cars (Reuters) Tesla assures its millions of electric car owners that their privacy “is and will always be enormously important to us.” The cameras it builds into vehicles to assist driving, it notes on its website, are “designed from the ground up to protect your privacy.” But a Reuters Special Report shows that between 2019 and 2022, groups of Tesla employees privately shared via an internal messaging system sometimes highly invasive videos and images recorded by customers’ car cameras, according to interviews with nine former employees. One ex-employee described a video of a man approaching a vehicle completely naked. Also shared: crashes and road-rage incidents. One crash video in 2021 showed a Tesla driving at high speed in a residential area hitting a child riding a bike, according to another ex-employee. Two ex-employees said they weren’t bothered by the sharing of images, saying that customers had given their consent or that people long ago had given up any reasonable expectation of keeping personal data private. Three others, however, said they were troubled by it. “I’m bothered by it because the people who buy the car, I don’t think they know that their privacy is, like, not respected … We could see them doing laundry and really intimate things. We could see their kids.”

‘I’ve Lost a Lot of Flesh and Bone,’ Jeremy Renner Says, Recalling Snow Plow Accident (NYT) The actor Jeremy Renner, who was severely injured on Jan. 1 when a heavy snow plow ran over him, said in a TV interview on Thursday night that the truck had hit him as he was trying to save his nephew, an accident that broke more than 30 of his bones and upended his life. Mr. Renner, an Oscar-nominated actor who is perhaps best known for his role as Hawkeye in the Marvel Avengers movie and TV franchise, spoke publicly at length about his frightening experience and arduous recovery for the first time in an interview with ABC News. “I’ve lost a lot of flesh and bone in this experience,” Mr. Renner told the journalist Diane Sawyer. “But I’ve been refueled and refilled with love and titanium.” Doctors interviewed by ABC News said that Mr. Renner’s good physical shape and health had probably helped him survive. About 10 weeks after the accident, Mr. Renner is beginning to regain enough strength to walk with a cane. When asked in the interview if he sees the same face when looking in the mirror, Mr. Renner replied, “I see a lucky man.”

#headlines #news

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locsata · 1 year

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Five Outstanding Advantages of Using Localization Companies for Video Games

Anyone who enjoys video games? Video games have been a source of amusement for people despite their age. Games have a universal presence everywhere, regardless of age grouping. The number of companies that localize video games has greatly increased.

However, many gaming firms disagree with the effectiveness of localizing video games. A simple translation will not cut it if you want to reach a worldwide audience. In this blog, we’ll embark on an exploration to comprehend:

What is localization in video games?

Advantages of localizing video games

Target nations for video games

What is Video Game Localization?

Many people won’t be able to explain the distinction between translation and localization if you ask them. The two, however, differ greatly from one another.

Translation entails changing the text, whereas localization also considers the text’s cultural context and other elements.

Localization of video games refers to the practice of making particular changes to the original video game in order to make it more appealing to the intended audience.

The values, religion, cultural beliefs, and language of the target nation are all considered by video game localization agencies.

Since not everyone in the world speaks the same language or practices the same religion, the localization of video games is crucial. What is good for one group could be wrong for another! Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to even the smallest details.

The smallest features must therefore be examined.

For instance, the United States’ official language is English. However, do you believe video games in English will be as popular in China, Japan, or South Korea?

Similar to this, if your game has violence and you release this in China, that country will censor aggression and restrict any content that might not appeal to its citizens.

Therefore ,to localize your video games before releasing them in many other nations. These fundamental guidelines are only a few of the many that computer game localization businesses take into consideration:

Utilizing the regional tongue, including slang

Keeping local laws and regulations in mind

Following and adhering to the religious and cultural beliefs

Making certain that your user interface

Making the viewers feel the game is genuine and indigenous is the main goal of video game localization. It encourages more game participation from players.

The concept of video game localization was previously made clear by the analysis above. Let’s examine how localization services for video games benefit gaming businesses.

Advantages of Hiring Localization Companies for Video Games

Recruiting localization specialists has a number of advantages for gaming firms. Here are a few of the suggested topics!

Increase in Sales

It is first come, first served. Businesses that employ translation in their videogames and recognize its value have already seen an increase in sales. The audience can be entertained well with video games. Rarely you will meet someone who doesn’t enjoy video games. Do you believe that people all over the world will pay to play these games if they were not localized?

No! Hence, intervene and localise your firm’s games if you want to join the growing chain. Sales will increase naturally for your business.

Improved Rankings

Everything that glitters with more stars in a game ranking, nonetheless, is worthwhile to play! Every country’s phone app store has a plethora of games. Do you believe they each have five-star ratings? Obviously, not!

However, the ones that do share localisation as a characteristic. Approximately 27% of the global gaming market, according to research, is served by English-language games. How an English match can receive a five-star rating in a country that does not speak English? To enhance the game’s appeal to the audience, video game localization companies make sure to localise every part of the game. The better the intended audience values it, the higher its ranking rises.

A Larger Target Demographic

Localization will assist you in realising your goals if your business is one of the ambitious ones. The number of players of video games worldwide is in the millions. However, you cannot engage them if your material is not localised.

The target market for your business will grow as a result of video game localization. Why not boost the number of players for your previously designed and developed game rather than concentrating on its follow-up? Companies that specialise in localising video games provide an easy way to boost sales and fan base. So why even waste the opportunity?

Keeping Faith with Local Audience and Local Government Beliefs

As was previously stated, what is a blessing for one nation could be a burden for another! Therefore, localising latest video games becomes crucial before releasing them in any nation. For instance, in Indian religions, the swastika symbol represents spirituality and devotion. Germany, meanwhile, would not let the use of the symbol in games since it is associated with the Nazis.

Similar to other nations, China forbids the usage of references to bones or skulls. Skulls or bones are associated with misfortune in China. Gaming businesses have a lot of responsibilities in this regard. Thus, localising the game material is beneficial!

Standing Out Among Rivals

Does every gaming firm make use of localization services for video games? The possibility of localising video games hasn’t been fully tapped by many organisations. Don’t wait till they become your rivals. Make contact with the top localization company, and localise your games to make them differentiate themselves from the competition.

Which Nations must You Focus on?

People throughout the world like playing video games. However, a few nations are leading the pack. If your business wants to gain the most sales and downloads, selecting these nations will work! The top gaming markets in the current environment are China, US, South Korea, Germany, Canada, Spain, UK, Italy, etc.

The Best Choice for Video Game Localization Companies Games

The better it is for the companies, the more interesting the game is. One of the best ways to appeal to the target market is through video game localization. Acadestudio is the ideal choice if you’re looking for the top localization service providers. Get in touch with us to quickly complete your localization needs!

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soupbrush43 · 2 years

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Vietnam Visa Necessities

Proof of the applicant’s financial capacity (e.g. title of real property property, funding certificate, bank certificates of existing checking or savings account, or notarized Affidavit of Support from a relative in the Philippines). Mother has been previously admitted for permanent residence within the Philippines. Sponsorship / endorsement letter from non secular group in country of origin. Religious missionaries may be issued visas under the 9 class. In some instances, prior authorization from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila is required earlier than the visa is issued. A transit visa lets you move by way of a particular country whereas touring to a third vacation spot nation. For instance, when you have an Indian passport and you would possibly be travelling to Canada, however throughout your journey you've a layover in a Schengen country, you'll need a Schengen transit visa. In some circumstances, visas are also issued as separate paperwork and aren't hooked up to your passport – similar to digital visas, which you must print out. Please be conscious of the distinction between the ‘validity of the visa’ and the ‘period of stay’. Travelers can spend a restricted time in Egypt visa-free between flights. Foreigners don't want a transit visa to stay for as a lot as forty eight hours. You can enter Vietnam on an e-Visa at any of the country's eight worldwide airports, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, as nicely as 14 land crossings and 7 seaports. Check Up The sponsor also needs to stress the economic contribution that the corporate has made to the native economic system as a end result of this is additionally a factor thought-about by the relevant district Foreign Affairs Office , which is able to review the applying. Once the online visa application is submitted, the applicant will get an update on the status of their utility within a few enterprise days. It might take longer depending on whether or not there might be additional processing required on the applying. China Health Declaration Form is required by the embassy to be submitted with the visa utility. At this time, the embassy will only accepts visa utility with a government approved invitation letter . A photocopy of your airline ticket or journey itinerary issued by your travel agent. Notarial Work Experience Certificates briefly describe an applicant's work expertise within the PRC. They should be required of all employment based mostly desire immigrant candidates who declare work experience in China. Employer's letters or sworn statements from persons claiming particular person's data should not be accepted in lieu of NWECS. The inability of an applicant to obtain a NWEC ought to be thought to be prima facie evidence the applicant does not possess the claimed expertise. The former employer should apply to cancel the work permit within 10 working days from when employment ceases. The cancellation certificate will include the explanation for the cancellation of the work allow. Foreigners who research or carry out internships cannot be legally employed, as well as dependents of foreigners who hold a work permit. Employers must signal a authorized contract with foreign workers, the settlement cannot be under the desk. Additionally, employers can not even interact workers in language coaching. China Eases Visa Guidelines For Recipients Of Its Vaccines Indonesia, the world’s biggest palm oil producer, banned palm oil exports on April 28. As anticipated, the transfer dealt a direct, large blow to the worldwide palm oil markets, causing a steep rise in worldwide grain and oil prices. Certificates of adverse results from COVID-19 nucleic acid checks together with IgG antibody checks are still needed to board a flight, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. In addition to the Chinese embassies in Australia, South Korea and Nigeria issuing the notice on Tuesday, the countries now embrace Greece, India, Italy, Pakistan, Israel, Norway and Indonesia, amongst others. Lo stated China should neither politicize its epidemic prevention efforts nor block other countries' highly effective vaccines to promote its own vaccines or vaccine nationalism. Tao Lina of the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention described the Sinopharm vaccine as " the world's most unsafe vaccine" by way of Weibo in early January. Normally, if a case is recognized, individuals who have shut contact with an infected individual will receive notification by way of textual content message. To go to Quito-Ecuador, it is very doubtless that you simply don't have to use for a visa. Citizens of most nations can enter and keep and not using a visa for as much as ninety days. Passengers flying to China are still required to provide the unfavorable certificates of nucleic acid checks and IgM antibody tests before boarding. Those planning to go to for business purposes and who have been inoculated with a Chinese vaccine can put together their visa software and inoculation supplies and apply for visas based on requirements in pre-epidemic occasions, based on a notice issued by the Chinese Embassy within the US. China will simplify visa purposes for many foreign nationals who have been inoculated with Chinese-produced COVID-19 vaccines, the most recent step towards normalizing personnel exchanges. Before the present push, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced as of March 15 that additional "visa facilitation" could be provided to international nationals inoculated with China-made vaccines. However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian mentioned at that day's press briefing. At the same time, China’s restrictions spotlight the inadequacies of its vaccine rollout, which has been slow in comparison with those of the United States, Britain and different international locations. Documents required again to normal (before the COVID-19 pandemic when applying for a visa), no need PU or TE letter anymore. The requirement that personnel intending to travel to China have to current double-negative certificates of nucleic acid and antibody checks stays unchanged. The related Chinese quarantine policies shall be noticed after getting into China. Journey To China Once you have your flights, resorts, and an permitted Thailand Pass, you are prepared to leave China for Thailand. I have read the description of Concierge Service and I agree To Travel Visa Pro phrases & providers. Our Concierge Team will attain out to you inside 2 enterprise hours to debate your Passport & Visa wants for your upcoming journey. To start your Concierge order, merely click on "Yes, add Concierge Service", fill out the very simple form, and our Concierge Team will reach out to you within three business hours to get your Passport and/or Visa order began. Assuring you're getting precisely the correct Passport and/or Visas that you want in your journey, precisely as quick as you want them, taking all the guesswork out of the process for you. If you wish to go to Hong Kong from mainland China and want to re-enter China afterwards, you will need to apply for a different visa to permit for double entry. BrazilThe agreements signed by Brazilian and Chinese governments on 1 September 2017 paved methods to the issuance of long-term vacationer and enterprise visas. The period of keep is ninety days per entry for both L and M visas. Obtain a visa prior to arrival and have a passport with no much less than six months' validity remaining. The lack of either will lead to a fine and immediate deportation. If you propose to enter North Korea, learn the North Korea Travel Advisory. Travelers ought to note that U.S. passports aren't valid for travel to, in, or through North Korea, until they're specially validated by the Department of State. Thai Visa Application Visa is required for most overseas nationalities to travel and stay in Thailand for greater than 30 days. Germany Pupil Visa Necessities 2021 But the much less critical your violation is taken into account to be by the PSB, the less likely these grounds for denial can be invoked in opposition to you. I understand the tough position you’ve been put in. What city did you apply for the new residence allow in? Perhaps the best case state of affairs is that PSB will decide that you are not eligible for reissuance of the residence allow and permit you a time period to depart the country. Perhaps the worst case scenario is that your HR supervisor has absconded due to criminal activity, and the PSB suspects you may be involved in that activity, in which case you can be detained whereas PSB investigates. You may want to get legal representation to assist you decide the level of danger you face. With IES Abroad Application Check and Consular Submission Service , we verify you could have all the proper visa software materials after which submit your app to the Italian or Spanish consulate in your behalf. Citizens of EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland do NOT need any visa. Students from these countries can enter Germany with their nationwide IDs and wouldn't have to undergo any visa utility process previous to their move to Germany. A scholar visa applicant who seems to show extra interest in collecting diplomas or the faculty “experience” than working or a career might take a look at the patience of the consul. This is especially true where the applicant appears directionless — perhaps engaged on a third Ph. D. For a scholar visa applicant who had beforehand worked illegally in the US it is a no-brainer for the consul. Not solely did the applicant engage in unlawful habits, but this in all probability reflects poor finances and an absence of economic ties to the home nation. Many of them are capable of keep in Canada after finishing their research. We encourage you to check this web page and the FAQs frequently since this scenario shall be very common for many international students. We hope to have an replace from the federal government on this matter. Saudi Arabia Visa Software And Necessities VFS GLOBAL maintains cheap administrative, technical, physical and organizational safeguards in an effort to protect private information in its custody and control. However VFS GLOBAL shall not be liable for illegal access, use, modification, destruction, destruction or interceptions by unauthorized persons. A user/users is/are not licensed, permitted, expected to add, modify, deface, hack, misuse or abuse VFS GLOBAL’ web site or the contents therein. VFS GLOBAL doesn't completely retailer e-mail messages despatched to or by it via various formats. https://www.chinavisa.com.tw/photo/ VFS GLOBAL does not hire or promote any email addresses to third events. VFS GLOBAL website/s or communication instruments shall not be used to send spam or in any other case send content that might violate the terms and conditions of VFS GLOBAL person settlement. 5.2 Clients should make their visa functions at an applicable time in accordance with their travel arrangement. Certain hyperlinks on the Site may lead to sources positioned on servers or networks maintained/operated by third parties over which VFS Global has no control, supervision or any connection since these sites are exterior to VFS Global. Such third party/external websites are ruled by their respective policies and VFS Global has no position to play in that. Those who are not eligible for the aforementioned digital permits can apply for a customer visa . Fortunately, vacationers and enterprise travellers can take benefit of electronic visas just like the ETA and the eVisitor visa, thatcan be requested on-line in a matter of minutes. A printed accomplished China Visa Application Form is always compulsory for all international applicants, whether you fill in the kind by way of online systems of Chinese Embassy or China Visa Application Service Center. Once observed it is processed and ready for assortment, you can choose up your passport & other documents in individual, or by third celebration. China Visa Utility No visa utility paperwork might be returned, the applicants ought to copy it themselves in advance if necessary. Some fortunate people are getting 000 on their visas, which actually means the visa is valid ‘indefinitely’. IF you receive a visa with a 000-validity period, don’t relaxation on your laurels too much … we recommend you apply for a residency permit in a timely method, however. It’s essential to do not neglect that, once you arrive in China, time is of the essence. After going via the rigmarole of getting your Z Visa, you’ll quickly learn that it’s only valid for a limited period of time. If you observe these steps, then positively you'll get permission to travel china with none hassle. China resident visas - Resident Visas are extraordinarily exhausting to get. To apply for this visa, you want to have lived in China for at least 5 years and contributed significantly in terms of investments that resulted in appreciable profits for China. China works visa - If you want to work in China and get paid, you will need a piece visa. It’s important that the company you're planning to work for can employ foreign employees and you have to fulfill sure requirements that qualify you as an expert in your field of labor. You are touring via China in your method to your final vacation spot and shall be in the nation now not than 24 hours. Some cities additionally require expats to do that after every journey they make overseas. Immigration procedures are additional complicated by the reality that they're largely carried out at a neighborhood degree and every locality has its own distinctive structure. This means the visa requirements will vary according to where an expat might be based. X2 student visas are short term visas which may be issued for students who're staying for less than one hundred eighty days. This visa is issued as a multiple entry visa, a residence allow just isn't required. Consular Officers determine on whether or not a visa is to be issued or not, what type of visa is to be issued, the visa's interval of validity, period of stay and number of entry within the light of China's legal guidelines and laws. The applicants should not take the collection date specified of their pickup varieties for granted. Consular Charge For candidates who've previously held Chinese visas, the Embassy and consulate places of work typically request copies of earlier visas. If you might be touring to China, you will likely want a Chinese Visa. The info under will explain a bit more about Chinese visas and the way to get them. If you are able to get a China visa now, please go to ourChina Visa Order Form. For those not applying of their nation of citizenship, a proof of legal stay or residence standing is required. Uninsured travelers who require medical care abroad often face extreme difficulties. A new policy took effect in 2018, mandating visa applicants from varied international locations to submit fingerprints. On a general observe, a Chinese visa will take 6-8 business days when you select the standard processing time. The length to get your Chinese visa may be as fast as three days when you choose a rush service, or with specific service it could take between 4 to five business days. The only condition in which you may have the ability to travel to China with the two passports is if the visa on the old passport is legitimate. You are required to have an e mail tackle for us to reply to. Be sure to explain exactly what is going on , and tell us what internet browser you may be utilizing and its version. Any update a traveler makes to his/her EVUS enrollment, together with to correct an error, is a brand new enrollment.

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mirroriraq7 · 2 years

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Meals Expenses For Travel In Japan

Dog meat, nevertheless, is popular amongst northern Vietnamese males as an aphrodisiac. While that is most likely the finish result of Chinese influence, southern Vietnamese argue that as Buddhists, they avoid canine meat, but the northerners, who “converted” to Communism, eat it avidly. While Communism is most likely not the best clarification for dog meat reputation within the north, Chinese influence and its political impact are an necessary issue. In southern Việt Nam, Catholic immigrants from the north are the main shoppers of canine meat. Paradoxically, then, Christianity, imported from the West, is expounded to the consumption of canine meat. This again is contrasted with the Han, who adopted expertise like stir-frying and stewing. Meat was additionally put on a bamboo spit and cooked over the hearth. I left Taiwan for America in 1980, and I’m know Taiwan modified so much that I don’t acknowledge all the brand new food developments anymore. I suppose it’s essential to point out road vendors primary cooking methodology. Health is a broad term that applies to maintaining our well being in addition to preventing sickness. The Chinese have highlighted the importance of viewing meals as a supply of therapeutic via the Guangxi vinegar-pepper noodle. America should search to take notes from societies like China, who use noodles as a mean to raised impoverished areas. Although healthy food in grocery stores are usually expensive, people in China are combating back in opposition to unhealthy cheap food by cooking contemporary foods from scratch. In order to tackle poverty, we must first deal with the food that is being offered to low revenue areas. These noodles may not be as labor intensive as the pho noodles, but they nonetheless put a smile on his face. “There was a sort of cold noodle with a novel taste, called Leng tao. These two kinds of noodles had been made of five and eight kinds of animal and plant uncooked material powder, respectively, and combined into flour, which have been thought of prime grade noodles” . Put water within the pot and warmth it on the stove until it boils. The Way To Host Your Wedding Ceremony At Home Individually wrapped novelty ice cream desserts are a great way to go. Thanksgiving is not about what you eat, wear, or the place it takes place. Thanksgiving is a time to come together and be grateful for the time that you have together with your family members. It is time to reminisce about past good times and keep in mind loved ones who're now not with you. When planning a corporate occasion for the holidays, you will want to wow your friends with taste sensations. At the same time, you’ll have to please a extensive range of palates and food regimen restrictions. You may consider including a gluten-free option and pork-free selections to meet unique dietary restrictions and religious preferences. Rest assured, your skilled San Diego catering firm will put collectively a menu that all guests will enjoy! For a bit of inspiration, browse these corporate catering ideasfor your next company get-together. Tucked alongside Adair Park on West Trinity Place, the Mary Gay House rises from the suburban group of Decatur as a formidable, historic landmark and a beautiful house to share your vows. Share these spots along with your photographers and visitors in order that they, too, can take beautiful photographs. Laura Remmert, the proprietor of Laura Remmert Events, recommends that couples consider a cleaning crew to help prep their house for a weekend of friends and events. “With all the in-and-out of the marriage party, (vendors, and so forth.) the house can quickly get messy,” she says. To accommodate, it is best to maintain most actions unstructured. This will allow you, as the get together host, to enjoy issues at your leisure without feeling like a cruise director. These might be loaded with coloring books, or take-home crafts for the youngsters. Catering Archives If you reside in the United States - or just about wherever else - it’s everywhere. In the food court at the mall, and on the commercial strips on the outskirts of town. Quickly begin a digital restaurant and make your present kitchen more worthwhile with our A-Z answer and zero upfront cost. Build a quantity of virtual ideas out of one kitchen, enhance your margins and create a extra profitable supply business. O.Noir is an instance of the favored dine-in-the dark restaurant concept. The thought is that your senses of odor and style turn into heightened, creating a different dining experience. Additionally, the entire waitstaff is blind or visually impaired, “a population that experiences roughly a 70% unemployment rate,” according to O.Noir’s website. Taking half in the hottest restaurant developments may help get more people in the door, but then you and your staff need to make friends wish to come again. Of course, quality of service and meals are needed to construct long-lasting customer loyalty. To steadiness high-quality, consistency, and altering tendencies, you need software program that may give you an edge, and allow you to keep up with the highest restaurant tendencies. Same as Express, plus the flexibility to add an occasion instantly from the Calendar, as nicely as to place customized notes on the calendar on any day or date vary. Bring your proposals to life and provides your clients a presentation they’ll always remember – with the Caterease-Paperless Proposals interface. Create beautiful, detailed diagrams of your occasion house simply and link those diagrams again to specific Caterease events using one or our intuitive room diagramming interfaces. Once you’ve chosen a venue in your event, simply click the Social Tables or AllSeated button located proper there on your Caterease screen. Special Occasions With lots of of hundreds of products obtainable and hundreds of thousands of orders shipped, we have every little thing your small business must function at its finest. Nothing can quite evaluate to a warm bowl of mom’s hen noodle soup, but Thai coconut rooster soup stands out from the remaining. With tangy ginger, coconut milk, and rice noodles, this recipe is certain to create a buzz about your corporation. "Chef Marty Bray with A Chefs Creation Catering catered an AMAZING marriage ceremony dinner! He was very flexible, well timed, and kind, Food was nice and..." Caprese is always a celebration showstopper, and these cute mini-skewer ideas are not any exception. Two finger meals favorites collide as pigs in a blanket get an every thing bagel makeover. Using a yeasted dough and this double cooking method is what provides these tailgate-ready bites their bagel persona. They were also extremely versatile once we had to postpone our marriage ceremony as a outcome of COVID. And additionally when we had been having a marriage during the pandemic. They offered us with options to keep our friends safe and allowed us to make changes to our visitor depend since we wanted to drastically reduce our visitor list. I am so thankful we went with this catering service! I additionally wish to say that Rebecca was particularly useful through the planning, rescheduling, modifications, and coordinating. This group was a dream to work with and I highly advocate each couple attend a tasting and see for themselves. Buffet Food Concepts Finger foods and prime quality teas are inexpensive and tremendous stylish. Here are some ideas you might want to remember. Have a white chocolate or lemon cream fountain. Serve soups in mini mugs with contemporary herbs on high. The best way to make a dozen breakfast sandwiches all of sudden. Cooking for the vacations could be onerous, and breakfast is the very last thing you need to worry about. With these delicately-crafted, egg-topped creations, your friends will assume they've died and gone to Heaven. BuzzFeed GoodfulSelf care and ideas to help you stay a healthier, happier life. This marriage ceremony traditional is perfect for treating your guests. Talk with your caterer about completely different choices for selecting the reduce. Some classic choices embrace tenderloin, t-bone, rib-eye, and New York strip. Waffle buffets are the right choice for weddings at any time of the day. These ice cubes are straightforward to make however you’ll need a black gentle for the impact. Almost as overdone as the donut wall, the unicorn theme has entered events and catering in a big method. Still, we needed to include it for these who are in search of a “fun” snack. Unicorns are even being embraced in company as a time period used in reference to one-in-a-million start-ups. What would this record be and not using a croquembouche, which is an edible self-sustained construction that does all the airing itself! Black Bear Diner Restaurant Menus I did not change or tweak this recipe as a end result of many of the reviews advised against it. It was getting late and I was drained however it had not lowered sufficient so I put it in my gradual cooker on low earlier than I went to mattress and in the morning it was accomplished. Wow, it got here out awesome, wealthy and sturdy. This is going to be my go to for all my soups now, particularly my fall squash and pumpkin. I use no matter greens I actually have readily available, even rhubarb! I use this recipe as a tenet - I added ginger and tumeric, garam masala, and tumeric and ignored the bay leaves the second time. I actually have at all times made my very own rooster stock, however I am trying to chop out the cholesterol from meals so I opted to attempt to make my base for soups and rice with a vegetable base as an alternative. I adopted the recipe largely however I did add a some garlic energy and extra garlic cloves. I did not have any cloves so I substituted with some allspice. Dessert in a rush utilizing cream cheese. Make a scrumptious filling base for a fast turnover dessert using cream cheese. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines cream cheese as containing no much less than 33% milkfat with a moisture content of not more than 55%, and a pH vary of four.4 to four.9. Originating from England, cream cheese is a soft, spreadable, pasteurized cheese, made primarily of cow's milk. Cream and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. I decided on an excellent easy menu of the final word roasted rooster, perfectly golden potatoesand a traditional French nation vegetable soup with a pistou. Pistou is just the French term for a pesto. Basil, garlic, Parmesan, good olive oil, salt and pepper make the most incredible topping for this soup…or any soup for that matter. Cocktail Party Catering Chef Cohen has been in the trade for over 30 years and knows what the folks need to make their occasions profitable. Below, are some examples of our most popular entree dishes nonetheless should you don’t have the time to personalised your personal menu. Our Chef’s & Event Planners are greater than prepared to walk you through each step. Please make positive to visit our Starters, Sides & Salads web page to go with your major dish. Supporting the Baltimore community is a consistent and necessary focus of our Hoopla Hospitality model. As we continue to develop, our dedication will stay robust. If you choose the Open Bar Option your guests may be greeted by our sarong clad maidens with a silk lei, orchid leis and a Pina Colada or Fresh Rum Punch. Drinks can also be served in a contemporary pineapple or coconut for an extra cost. We had leftovers that came house with us, which was nice as a end result of the night glided by so shortly, I don't even remember what anything tasted like! Our fun stations for Kirkland catered pleased hour food selections are thought-about snack food and are meant to meet the wants of a larger group of individuals with themed food and alcohol. Our catered pleased hour Kirkland companies are a particular way to make any hour of the day really “happy”. 外燴 with you to take care of the small print of the catered pleased hour Kirkland occasions so that your visitors will have an expertise that they won't quickly forget. Casa Nova Custom Catering is your full-service caterer for Santa Fe weddings, holidays, movie sets, corporate events, banquets, cocktail parties, luncheons and fundraising galas. Sales meetings are usually one of many greatest events of the 12 months. And we may help you intend it from start-to-finish.

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hurricanewindattack · 3 years

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Human Rights? In F1?

(or, the inherent but legitimate what-aboutism of human rights issues in host nations taken to its logical extreme)

I see a lot of cool (usually white) people consistently criticize the fact that F1 races in certain countries which have Human Rights issues. I recently saw people celebrate Turkey's exclusion on these grounds, and am now hearing of second-hand accords of people celebrating Singapore's exclusion on similar grounds. That these countries are exclusively non-European and non-white is something that never dawns on them. So while HRC or whatnot might continue to pad their reputations as spotless nations, at least as ones that have no standing issues, here is a compilation of some human rights in the countries that are going through with their races:

A disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list, and as such is off the top of my head, so do chime in to add to this or correct me in the comments/reblogs/asks!

Bahrain grand prix (Bahrain)

Active, oil-funded, religiously motivated monarchy. Negligible rights to protest, abysmal record on LGBTQ rights. Slave state built on the backs of uncompensated foreign workers.

Gran Premio Dell'emilia Romagna, Gran Premio D’italia (Italy)

Turns back immigrants from horrendously dysfunctional African states it colonised way back when, letting them die at sea in their makeshift dinghies. Struggles with mafia (not very representative of the real situation, ignore)

Grande Premio De Portugal (Portugal)

Yet to pay reparations for colonizing, enslaving, and destroying the lives and culture of the people of several nations, including Brazil.

Gran Premio De España (Spain)

Yet to pay reparations for colonizing, enslaving, and destroying the lives and culture of most of South America. Violently suppressing Catalan independence movements.

Grand Prix De Monaco (Monaco)

Is a gambling den and tax haven for the world's richest. Does not recognize LGBTQ marriage, or the existence of trans people legally.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix (Azerbaijan)

Active, oil-funded dictatorship with limited press freedom and right to protest. Negligible LGBTQ Rights.

Grand Prix de France (France)

Oppresses Muslim people by forcing them to abandon their religious traditions in the name of secularism. Still runs neo-colonial projects in North Africa. Has an age of consent of fifteen. FIFTEEN.

Großer Preis Von Österreich, Großer Preis der Steiermark (Austria)

Has issues with the rights of racial minorities. Police accountability is somewhat low. Violence against women has also been on the rise.

British Grand Prix (Britain)

Yet to pay reparations to half the fucking world for colonizing, enslaving, and destroying their lives and culture. Proudly displays literally stolen artefacts in museums and will not return them, including a fucking diamond that is in the queen's collection. Is a monarchy in 2021. Has highly classist society. Has become highly transphobic. Passed a law to restrict rights to protest.

Magyar Nagydíj (Hungary)

Functionally a dictatorship, with limited press freedom and right to protest. Actively vilifying LGBTQ people for the government's failures, making the country increasingly uninhabitable for them.

Belgian Grand Prix (Belgium)

Yet to pay reparations for colonizing, enslaving, and destroying the lives and culture of the people of Congo. Hands, feet, ears you name it were cut off of enslaved people who did not meet production quotas.

Grote Prijs van Nederland (Netherlands)

Yet to pay reparations for colonizing, enslaving, and destroying the lives and culture of the people of several nations, including Indonesia.

Gran-Pri Rossii (Russia)

Mafia state run by Vladimir Putin and his cronies, with limited press freedom and right to protest. Actively vilifying LGBTQ people for the government's failures, making the country increasingly uninhabitable for them.

Nihon guranpuri (Japan)

Very limited reparations to the people of Korea and China, who faced brutal oppression and mental/physical/sexual torture at the hands of the Japanese army, on par with the level of Nazi Germany. The age of consent is thirteen. THIRTEEN.

United States Grand Prix (USA)

Hoo boy, where do I begin? Limited recognition for the rights of indigenous groups. Persistent history of racial abuse against the black minority across several dimensions. Puts immigrant children in cages. Limited abortion rights. No universal, affordable, healthcare system. Yet to pay reparations for colonizing, enslaving, and destroying the lives and culture of the people in several nations in Latin America, the Middle East and Indo-China, among other areas. Grand daddy and global maintainer of capitalism, a highly destructive and exploitative system.

Gran Premio De La Ciudad De México (Mexico)

Is a cartel nation - literally run by a government that is in cahoots with mafia, leading to devastating loss of life for its citizens. The family of their own driver, Sergio Perez, almost fell victim to the same.

Grande Prêmio De São Paulo (Brazil)

Limited recognition for the rights of indigenous groups, burning the world's lungs (and their home) for farm land. Took a hands off approach to the pandemic, leading to devastating loss of life.

Australian Grand Prix (Australia)

Limited recognition for the rights of indegenous groups, and ran concentration camps/brainwash camps for their children until very recently (still does? Idk). Has not paid reparations, naturally, to either its own indigenous people or those of the countries it colonised, like East Timor. Funds fossil fuel projects that destroy a large amount of indigenous and natural heritage.

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Saudi Arabia)

Active religiously motivated monarchy. Negligible rights to protest, abysmal record on LGBTQ, women's rights. Slave state built on the backs of uncompensated foreign workers.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (UAE)

Active, oil-funded, religiously motivated monarchy. Negligible rights to protest, abysmal record on LGBTQ rights. Slave state built on the backs of uncompensated foreign workers.

Moral of the story: If we are outraged that human rights abuses are happening in one nation, we must be outraged that they are happening in the ones we like too. Yes, even if their populations are mostly white. Sports events don't do much to whitewash the reputations of these governments in my opinion, the people who know usually know regardless. A more constructive way to channel your anger is to donate to their movements, instead of complaining that they get to have an F1 race at home.

PS: If you believe that reparations are not deserved by the people of colonized nations, kindly fuck yourself with a cheese grater.

#f1 #formula one #formula 1 #singapore grand prix #racing #human rights #jeddah #saudi arabia grand prix

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catclient44 · 3 years

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Personal & Small Group Tours To Russia

If you want Faberge eggs, well you're in luck as a result of this armory is supplied with the most important assortment of Faberge eggs, as properly as crowns, carriages, and tsars' royal vestments. Translating on to "power" or "fortified city", the Kremlin is synonymous with Russia's authorities in the same way because the White House is to the USA. There are literally over 20 Kremlins in Russia, however the most famous is of the one in Moscow. The advanced has an intricate system of palaces and cathedrals and is walled in. Aside from the chilly, the days are also shorter, lasting just a few hours. We stayed at an Airbnb in St. Petersburg, in a wonderful location very close to town center. A star shaped fortress, a storybook town square and a subway maze with unimaginable structure. When you tour Russia with Trafalgar, you will uncover a rustic both beautiful and complicated. The common high within the Summer is 84F with common lows of 62F. Greatest Souvenirs To Buy In Russia However, the smaller ones will retail for round 800 – 1,200 rubles. I highly advocate purchasing these at Izmailovsky Market, and never in Red Square or on Arbat Street – as they are going to be FAR dearer if purchased in the City Center. Russian bakery products are an irreplaceable part of traditional tea time. Puffs from a particular dough, cookies , and cracknels – all these items are inexpensive, however hearty and tasty. It actually does make an excellent distinction quality-wise if the vodka is made in Russia or whether it is one thing found on a shelve of your local grocery store with a cheesy Gorbatschov label caught on it. True what they are saying about attempting alcohol within the country of its origin being the best expertise. Browse our web site for all kinds of Russian souvenirs, from hand-painted nesting dolls to hand-carved Christmas ornaments. Low costs and a lot to select from for easy presents, stocking-stuffers, or finer examples of artistic creations from one of the best Russian artists. The first lacquer bins appeared in Russia within the 18th century but this art work flourished in the 20th century after the Revolution. Right opposite the doorway facet of Teatralnaya metro station, there are rows of colourful tents promoting every cliché Russian souvenir within the guide. Samovars are sold in craft festivals and flea markets where you have an opportunity to purchase a real antique samovar. Small modern samovar will cost from 4000 rubles, costs for antique could begin from rubles. In Russian retailers yow will discover all in style international manufacturers. Situated on Petrovka Street, this high-end mall could be reached on foot from a lot of the well-liked vacationer points of interest like Red Square and the History Museum. It is home to round 1,000 manufacturers of clothing, footwear, accessories, and cosmetics. Buddhism In Russia There can be a self-service 200 yen for signing, and there is a cute gold fortunate cat in the paper, which is basically lovable. With more than 2000 temples and shrines, this former capital is a gem of conventional Japanese culture. In Kochi, don a helmet and headlamp and explore the cavernous natural marvel generally identified as the Ryugado Cave, a National Natural Monument. Stroll by way of a 17th-century backyard and survey seven-hundred years of historical past at a museum devoted to Satsuma’s Shimazu clan in Kagoshima. The uncommon Hindu shrine is an important temple to Vishnu. By 1917, Joseph Stalin had ensured that no datsans remained open within the country. The USSR sought to remove Buddhism and different religions, as they believed that an absence of faith mixed with urbanization would lead to a rise in manufacturing. In 1929 many monasteries have been closed down and monks had been arrested and exiled. By the Thirties, Buddhists had been suffering more than some other non secular community within the Soviet Union with lamas being expelled and accused of being "Japanese spies" and "the folks's enemies". Markets In Moscow In this point of view, we explore the important alerts of change for global retail. Pick up Drop off – Delivery locker – in style option in Russia the place buyers have parcels delivered to a locker to pick up at their comfort. Russia can additionally be looking to implement a traceability program to ensure goods coming into the country usually are not fake. It will be primarily based on bar code requirement for all merchandise that enter. The Kremlin and Izmailovo Market is a superb place to discover, allow us to guide you via this picturesque place and you'll respect the stories and crafts. For those that need to get antiques from the Soviet era, watch collectors such because the famous RAKETA model of cosmonauts, or purchase spiritual icons, handkerchiefs, famous hand carved matrioshkas or chess. Though it is the largest nation on the earth, one of the defining features of Russian society is the spirit of collectivism. This neighborhood vibe is current via the many vintage and flea markets taking place around the country, and a visit to one of these is to peek via the window and glimpse the local tradition. The lengthy and fascinating historical past of this country additionally means its markets provide up a treasure trove to collectors from all walks of life. From Moscow to Saint Petersburg you will find anything and every thing at flea markets, ranging from Soviet porcelain and old rotary dial phones to 1980 Olympics memorabilia, samovars, and jewelry. On the other hand, there a few markets that sport very low valuations. These are mainly both commodity producers or markets which have been through powerful economic/political cycles . By year-end 2019, telecom/utility stocks and commodities had been all deeply out of favor. The high-flying markets of the earlier decade (eg. Brazil) suffered adverse total stock market returns for the entire interval. The past decade has been all concerning the rise of China and the internet-e.commerce platforms and the chips and storage required to make all of it work. Russian vodka or Crimean wine – it doesn't matter what alcohol you need to buy, you should purchase them solely in licensed stores, both in specialized shops or supermarkets. It just isn't a good idea to purchase alcoholic drinks in markets, because no one might be responsible for their elements and quality, and poisoning with homemade alcohol may be lethal. Russia's Youth And Its Culture His music remains to be well-liked for new generations of musicians, and you may hear it performed in the streets of a Russian city. “Flight of the Bumblebee” has been organized for a selection of solo instruments to spotlight the virtuosity of a performer. In American popular culture, much of its popularity comes from its unbelievable vitality and technical problem. Ethnic intermarriage became pretty common in Soviet times, and most people have no less than one ancestor of a unique nationality. Russian culture has an extended and wealthy cultural historical past, steeped in literature, ballet, painting and classical music. While outsiders may even see the nation as drab, Russia has a very visible cultural previous, from its colorful folks costumes to its ornate religious symbols. Until the 18th-century, music in Russia consisted mainly of church music and people songs and dances. In the 19th-century, it was defined by the tension between classical composer Mikhail Glinka along with different members of The Mighty Handful, and the Russian Musical Society led by composers Anton and Nikolay Rubinstein. The later custom of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, one of many biggest composers of the Romantic period, was continued into the 20th century by Sergei Rachmaninoff, one of the final nice champions of the Romantic fashion of European classical music. Initially, Narkompros , which was additionally in control of the arts, supported Proletkult. Although Marxist in character, the Proletkult gained the disfavor of many party leaders, and by 1922 it had declined significantly. De facto restrictions on what artists could paint had been abandoned by the late Nineteen Eighties. A set of Matryoshka dolls include a wooden determine which may be pulled aside to disclose another determine of the same sort but somewhat smaller inside. The shape is mostly cylindrical, rounded at the top for the top and tapered in direction of the underside, but little else. 10 Greatest Central Moscow Parks To Escape The Summer Time Warmth The different facet of the principle pond is equipped with a slide, horizontal bars, ropes and other exercise tools. In some parks , we found that plant communities are dominated by oak and different broadleaf timber within the tree layer and Filipendula ulmaria on the ground. This mixture is typical of artificially created park communities in moist St. Petersburg conditions and has no analog in the native vegetation. The Summer Garden was not solely dear to the Tsar and the garden’s designers, but it was also notable inside Russian literary works of the Romantic era. Centrally located steps from St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square and the Kremlin, Zaryadye Park sits on a traditionally charged web site saturated by Russia’s collective previous and evolving aspirations. As a historic palimpsest, the 35-acre site has been populated by a Jewish enclave in the 1800’s, the foundations of a cancelled Stalinist skyscraper, and the Hotel Rossiya—the largest resort in Europe until its demolition in 2007. For 5 years, this central piece of Moscow actual estate—encompassing a quarter of downtown Moscow— remained fenced as plans to increase its use as a business middle by Norman Foster were underway. In 2012, the City of Moscow and Chief Architect Sergey Kuznetsov organized a design competitors to remodel this traditionally privatized, business territory into a public park. An worldwide design consortium led by Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) with Hargreaves Associates and Citymakers was chosen out of ninety submissions representing 27 completely different nations. The abundance of Filipendula ulmaria in plenty of suburban parks signifies surplus humidity and dysfunction of the drainage system. In time, native timber tolerant of this specific hydrological regime, similar to alders and willows, will more than likely exchange the broadleaf bushes. In all suburban historic parks, the spring flora was represented by a wide spectrum of early-spring native species such as Ficaria verna, Gagea lutea, Gagea minima, Anemonoides nemorosa, Anemonoides ranunculoides, and Corydalis solida. In the gardens at the heart of St. Petersburg, profuse blooming of Gagea lutea, Gagea minima, and Facaria verna (greater than 70% groundcover) was observed only in the plant communities of the Summer Garden . Hepatica nobilis was discovered only in Gatchina and in Pavlovsky Park, and Viola odorata and Primula elatior was discovered only in Dvortsovy Park and Zverinets in Gatchina. Russia 2021 Many individuals who need to take a Russia vacation want to avoid all of the planning and logistics concerned in a giant week or two week overseas trip abroad and want to save money by doing it all in a package instead of piecing things together at full value. 跳蚤 is led by a tour director who will take care of all of the providers from starting to the tip of your vacation. Your tour director connects you with local tour guides who will have lots of information on the particular cities you discover. Typically, hotels, transportation throughout your trip, some meals and sightseeing are arranged and included with the price of yourRussia tour. Maximize your time in the remarkable Russian metropolis of St. Petersburg on a complete 2-day shore tour to major sights and historic landmarks. Gain priceless perception into the wealthy historical past of the city and journey by luxury, air-conditioned car during your tour. Do you know the place the most important number of lively volcanoes in Russia is? These are known as the White Lights, when daylight lasts practically the complete day and the solar by no means fully sets. These long hours of daylight lend themselves properly to full days of tourism and pleasure all through the town. St. Petersburg is home to all kinds of world-famous art and architecture. The Pushkin and Catherine Palace Amber Room is a historic work of architecture; the encircling gardens are also unique. Peterhof, the Grand Summer Palace by the shore, is an attractive location with uncommon fountains and a unique magnificence. For one of the diverse collections of artwork in the world, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg offers visitors a look at both world and Russian artwork. The hotels have been both very good, and the whole organisation of the trip is to be applauded. Designed for tourists interested in old Russian church buildings, Russian art or any other particular interest among the many limitless points of interest Russia has to supply. The introduction of a model new prepare, the “Grand Express”, on the Moscow-St. Petersburg line is altering current assumptions about comfortable rail journey which is comparable in commonplace to that of a good lodge. [newline]Indeed, the “Grand Express” is an actual hotel on wheels that options spacious sleeping compartments with bathrooms, showers, air-conditioning, wide sofas, LCD TV, DVD-players and WI-FI. “Grand Express” prepare additionally has standard 9 compartments carriages of 1st and 2nd class.More particulars. On our website you'll be able to create your own tour or select one from acomprehensive vary of Russia excursions and vacation travel packagesaround Russia and CIS countries to fit every want and finances. Whether you're traveling in a gaggle or independently, in search of a customized journey or a particular weekend tour package, we will always present the perfect answer for you. Just pick the tour you are most thinking about and continue with reservation. Finally, a smaller group could be extra flexible; we had some further time and the guide offered to take us on a quick visit to St. Petersburg's synagogue, not on our unique agenda. The 10 Finest Restaurants In Moscow The quality of meals is very high and different cuisines are served to the folks. The wine and the cuisine served are of nice high quality and style. The staff is extremely qualified, and this place is the one which you shouldn’t miss in Moscow. The place may be very elegant, and the center of attraction is a rotunda which dominates the 2 floors in the restaurant. If you're the one who loves royal things, royal locations and royal experience, then this place is a perfect fit for you. This café has a splendid atmosphere, and it serves the shoppers with Russian delicacies in an aristocratic mansion which was built within the nineteenth century. The workers right here is professional, and the chefs are skilled in making an ideal dish. Traditional Russian food like borsch, pirogi, and pelemeni is served right here in traditional style. As you presumably can guess from the name, Buono focuses on traditional Italian cuisine. The interior is also impressed by the Italian Imperial style. And it definitely serves probably the greatest Italian dishes in Moscow as the chef Christian Lorenzini is an Italian himself. As well as Sixty It belongs to the Ginza Group which is a high quality mark for many Russians. In Moscow, imperial-era cafes on prime real estate and food-media-famous chefs may distract the many traveling meals hunters, but modern Russian delicacies is a broad church, and in Moscow, this can be a significantly good time to worship. In the seek for the shiny, progressive dishes, nevertheless, don’t miss the thrill of fast-food comforts or the treasures of long-held favorites such because the cuisine of Russia’s southern neighbor Georgia. With Moscow’s newfound confidence in its culinary bounty and local components and a bewildering number of classic and bleeding-edge choices, it could be hard to know the place to start or end. Here’s a day’s price of eating through central Moscow that showcases the city’s exuberant variety, masking excessive, low, old, new, weird, nostalgic, fast, and cheap—but at all times good. Headed by Michelin star-winning chef Anatoly Komm and in-built veneration of the artwork of molecular gastronomy, Varvary truly presents a dining experience like no different. She recommends a crème brûlée cone, which does not disappoint. Red carnations — a historic image of the Russian proletariat — adorn every table beneath dramatic crimson chandeliers. Waitresses wearing freshly starched maids uniforms full with crochet-trimmed aprons and fairly white bonnets, put on thick smears of purple lipstick on stern expressions. Greatest Out Of Doors Actions In Moscow Take a have a glance at evaluations from former guests that can assist you determine whether the tour is for you -- and whether or not the tempo and tour type is appealing. Moscow is a good metropolis the place folks love to dine out, and there are countless options for scrumptious food. The flavors are as numerous as you’d expect from an enormous metropolis, with options of fantastic dining and little hipster eateries. Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is greater than value it, with the nearby fountains and park after which the whole of the town behind them. There are two ponds, and in the course of the summer season there are multiple activities out there. While Russia is infinitely safer than it was through the 90s, you must nonetheless remain vigilant. The best part about this lake is that even after hikers have explored this area for days, there's always something extra to find. If diving isn't something you enjoy, there are lots of other actions such as rowing, hiking or a walk through the caves. There is no special permission required to climb this mountain and you can do it by your self only in case you are a talented hiker. Alternatively, you'll be able to discover this place with a group of people to add to the fun and pleasure. We’ve put collectively some of the best destinations providing nice adventure actions. If you like being outdoor, you are positive to get pleasure from a few of these places listed beneath. When folks think of Russia they think of snow, however hearth is as plentiful as ice in Russia’s most remote jap area; Kamchatka. The austere monument was inbuilt 1970 to rejoice the anniversary of Lenin’s start. Towering greater than 25 feet over the principle city sq., the Lenin head weighs in at forty two tons. Russian And Worldwide Festival During this day, the Russians rejoice the New Year's entry on the date of the old Russian calendar, which was followed till 1918, at which time the Soviets changed the Julian calendar to the Gregorian. Since then, most of the country's festivals are celebrated twice, according to the present and the old calendar. The showcase takes place on Wednesday 20 October, Thursday 21 October and Friday 22 October. As a part of Pushkin House Book Prize 2021, we're delighted to welcome Archie Brown to discuss his shortlisted book The Human Factor. Archie will be in conversation with Sam Greene, professor in Russian politics and director of the Russia Institute at King’s College London. The discussion might be in entrance of a stay viewers at Pushkin House, in addition to to those who wish to join on-line. As a half of Pushkin House Book Prize 2021, we're delighted to welcome Catherine Belton to communicate about her shortlisted e-book Putin’s People. Victory Day (День Победы Den Pobedy) is by far one of the greatest Russian holidays. It commemorates those that died in World War II and pays tribute to survivors and veterans. Flowers and wreaths are laid on wartime graves and special parties and concert events are organized for veterans. A big floor and air navy parade, hosted by the President of the Russian Federation, is annually organized in Moscow on Red Square. Similar ground, air and marine parades are organized in several other Russian cities . The holiday was established in 1918 as it is linked to the decree printed that day by the Council of People's Commissars that formalized the official elevating of the Red Army. Christmas in Russia (Рождество Христово Rozhdestvo Khristovo) is celebrated on 25 December Julian calendar which falls on January seventh Gregorian calendar and commemorates the start of Jesus Christ. May 1-2, Spring and Labor Day – Coming near Easter, this holiday is commonly celebrated in church. January 1, New Year’s Day – This is often stated to be probably the most beloved vacation. Russians usually have fun it once more on January 14; this date corresponds to New Year’s on the Julian Calendar utilized in Russia prior to 1918. The gift-giving and merriment Americans associate with Christmas are often seen on New Years in Russia. At the end of per week of pancake munching and shapka throwing, Maslenitsa’s grand finale consists of burning down the Chuchilo in an try to symbolize lastly letting go of winter and working towards the idea of forgive and neglect. Soviet monuments and installations are a captivating take a glance at the goals and beliefs of a bygone nation. On the one hand, many of these monuments are in reminiscence of unimaginable achievements, like house exploration, or of tragic events, just like the Battle of Stalingrad. The Most Effective Nightclubs In Moscow The people out at the moment are either consuming or are going to depart early because they aren’t really out for partying. Bar Gipsy positioned at the premises of Krasny Oktyabr manufacturing unit used to be one of hottest night time clubs in Moscow throughout late 2000s. The club used to be co-owned by one of many creators of one other well-known Moscow night time membership referred to as Simachev bar. Chateau de Fantomas is located at the premises of Krasny Oktyabr manufacturing facility across the river from Kropotkinskaya subway station. The club is legendary for its summer season events that take place on the roof of the club’s constructing. As described in one of many magazines Chateau de Fantomas is a non-public night membership that's closed for the general public. One of the commonest travel ideas given to Russian-bound tourists is to not drink the tap water. It's worth remembering except you are thinking about spending a great deal of your journey within the bathroom of your lodge, and even worse, visiting an area hospital for therapy. If so, get away from bed and start planning your night time out with our insider’s information to St Petersburg nightlife. Coco Bar is likely considered one of the extra glamorous spots to party the night away. The place is thought for its pub meals and distinctive choice of local and international ales. Try out a pint of their native stout for 240RUB (USD 3.20) or play it secure with a bottle of Guinness for 550RUB (USD 7.30). Russian ladies may like it when you whisper them anything in Russian. No matter you utter incorrect or missing, you could get a giant smile in return. Making statements primarily based on opinion; again them up with references or private experience. If so, ask for our assist right here and keep away from any frustration or time loss. See our St Petersburg Car Rental service & tour across the city easily & swiftly. Russian Art Gallery In 2005, the query - Who had been the three most proficient twentieth century Russian artists? - was requested of senior members of the Academy of the Arts, the Director of the Surikov Institute, leaders of the Russian Artist Union and different outstanding Russian Realist artists. The idea was that those that were extremely educated in tutorial realism and were the practicing elite had one of the best eyes to know who of their era stood above the others. Recognized for his plein aire landscape paintings, Nikita Fedosov was number two. Today, the top Russian auction houses discuss with this acclaimed artist as "Russian's Legend". Garage is Russia’s first philanthropic establishment devoted to contemporary artwork, based in 2008 by Roman Abramovich and Dasha Zhukova. Located in Gorky Park, the museum showcases creative actions from Russia and all over the world. Visitors can discover 10 innovative exhibitions per 12 months from established and up-and-coming artists; Garage offers funding and studio space to rising artists. Exhibitions are always accompanied by a program of workshops, shows and family events, opening up up to date art to all age teams. Once the tour is over, you may be allowed to stay and browse the museum at your leisure. The State Tretyakov Gallery is an art museum collecting Russian nice art. The massive gallery houses plenty of paintings by way of which you'll higher perceive Russian history and culture. The Lumiere Brothers Centre is called after the French brothers who have been pioneers in the early improvement of pictures and filmmaking. The assortment is devoted to artwork of the Soviet interval, starting from post-revolutionary paintings and graphic works, to the "Severe Style" that was official Soviet artwork of the Stalin-Brezhnev period. Last 12 months, this former flour storage building was transformed right into a museum by British architects, John McAslan + Partners. Hot Springs Around The World With Ker & Downey Bathhouse facilities embody a soaking pool, chilly plunge, sauna, and lounge with add-ons, together with therapeutic massage, yoga, and skincare products. Several packages are available, including monthly unlimited passes and a “Personal Day of Retreat,” which comes with juice, a yoga class, and use of the bathhouse. All purpose to promote self-care and good health by way of variations on soaks, steams, saunas, and community. And perhaps as a end result of the world of late has been, nicely, taxing, we’ve seen these oases spring up within the United States, with offerings as numerous as the nation itself. The 1.5 million gallons of water within the springs accommodates silica minerals in addition to sulfur. These minerals are what attract many individuals affected by psoriasis to hunt the healing properties of Blue Lagoon, as it purportedly reduces their symptoms. The factor to do at Blue Lagoon is to scoop up the silica mud and rub it on your face – prompt exfoliation. Guests can stay in a ryokan 旅館 or opt for a contemporary, Western-style spa resort. The hottest Japanese sizzling springs are usually located within the more mountainous areas of the country, such as Hakone, Gunma, and Hokkaido. The last stop on your Hot Springs Around the World tour is Chile, the place you will spend eight enjoyable nights. The heat comes from a geothermal energy plant, owned by a heating firm that created the lagoon to test heating strategies in the Seventies. When the onsen's water contains distinctive minerals or chemicals, the onsen establishments display what sort of onsen it's. The scorching spring is a spot of tranquility; whereas it's definitely okay to speak amongst yourselves, it isn't meant to be treated like a public pool. While you could be excited to point out off the speedo you got while vacationing within the south of France final summer season, bathing suits are forbidden in the Japanese hot spring. If this seems off-putting, understand that it is the norm right here and most people turn into used to it somewhat rapidly. With so much to offer visitors, it’s no marvel that Glenwood Springs is Colorado’s primary selection for warm springs and wellness. Slated to open this winter, Sōkuin Austin draws from both Japanese and European custom.

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tomsthoughtstoday · 3 years

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China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - what we can learn and some of the implications on a new world order

(Do you want to learn about China’s current strategy to further their economic and political goals? Read on with a short description of this enormous project.

The Belt and Road initiative is a project under development by China that is incentivising many European, Asian and African countries to accept Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities from China. Coined ‘debt financing’ by some critics of China’s BRI (debt financing is when a country coils another country into accepting deals with payments beyond the scope of the country’s ability to pay that back thereby acquiring the land, capital or patent etc.) encompasses most of the modern world but is targeting largely underdeveloped nations. Underdeveloped nations are ripe with uncertainty and politicians that are constantly seeking to improve the welfare of their citizens - many of their policies suffocated by short-term achievements lenses. These seemingly solutions in the immediate term (providing jobs and short term economic growth) can lead to significant problems in the future (debt financing). Aside from the negatives of FDI (Income repatriation, foreign ownership of land or companies, and a general disregard for the environmental/local impacts on communities) FDI is, statistically speaking, beneficial for countries which is why it has been taken up by most countries. The BRI’s main objective is to root out resource insecurity - a major barrier which is wedging the ability for China to develop. China requires large quantities of steel for the production of the many large infrastructure projects (which inherently improves productivity and the ability for an economy to produce more - improved quality of resources) which with Chinese companies backed by the government are currently infiltrating the Australian soil. Currently, it is a loss-loss situation for the Australian government. The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) is denying many Chinese companies the right to export iron ore back to China (solving their resource scarcity needs) politically with Chinese sanctions on Australian trade - and China seeking other iron ore exporters like Brazil. A major project for the BRI was a China-Pakistan economic corridor facilitating China’s access to the Arabian Sea, bypassing tension in the South China Sea and gaining greater access to quicker and cheaper trade. Ultimately, the BRI, from a United States perspective, is observed as a threat to the current world order - one which the USA might not dominate through the rise of Asia (its attempt to have an improved relationship with Korea, Japan, India, and Taiwan to maintain its foothold in the region is evident) but will ultimately bring about beneficial development for countries that need it the most - even if it means the loss of liberal democratic values for some of these countries influenced largely by the CCP.

The QUAD (USA, Australia, Japan, India) have instigated the Blue Dot Network to combat and rival the BRI, however, nowhere near to the scale of the BRI. Australia is concerned about the rapid growth of China, and its threat to invade Taiwan as part of its ‘One China’ Policy. Moreover, Australia is recent years has been relatively unsubmissive to China and is generally backed by the Australian people so as not to be the victim of economic and political bullying by China. However, I personally don’t think that the Australian people are willing to suffer lower standards of living if we are willing to combat Chinese trade restrictions and a possible total social and economic exclusion. Nonetheless, there is most definitely a shifting rhetoric in our dealings with China - even with us ordinary citizens, not just the politicians - that is shifting the way China is dealing with us Australians. We have called out the human rights violations of their ‘re-education camps’, the stealing of intellectual data, called for an independent investigation into the origin of COVID-19 ultimately seeking more transparency (ironic I know - Witness K and many closed tribunals, attempting to pass laws to ban satirical media against Commonwealth officials, covering the real truth behind a ‘gas lead recovery’ through GISERA, Timor Leste, Indigenous peoples, Religious freedoms Bill, no independent corruption investigation committee - the list goes on however it is a subject for another post here down the line) it is evident that Australia is standing up to China.

#belt and road initiative #belt and road #belt and road infrastructure pact #australian politics #usa politics #china politics #world events #global politics #politics #us politics #economics #international relations #education #learning

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congacoal61 · 3 years

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Central Asia Encompassed

The least explored of Central Asia’s 5 Stans, Turkmenistan stays a land of thriller. Visit the Russian Bazaar, the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa and see the country’s magnificent Akhal-Teke horses. Reinstate the wow issue with a circuit of Ashgabat’s new city that includes rows and rows of marble buildings and gold monuments. Explore the centre of the nation with its unique “Gates of Hell” – the Darvaza Gas Crater. And step again into layers of history on the sprawling silk street settlement of Merv. Join our small group excursions to Turkmenistan and go where few travellers have gone before. As local tour firm, we offer finest price with rich experiences. We shall be glad to create the best vacationer program to Turkmenistan for you! Just fill within the form so we may know all of your preferences and necessities for the trip. Our travel specialist will contact you as quickly as possible and will offer you one of the best choices. We have just put together a listing of unimaginable travel locations and distinctive places of the world that might be incredibly fascinating for many individuals. All the destinations are briefly reviewed in a type of an interactive video presentation. But the tourism is a multi-dollar industry these days, so many companies and private guides try to current new, fresh and unconventional places to have a vacation or an lively trip. Meet-and-greet at Ashgabat International Airport and transfer to our lodge of choice . I even have led tours in over a hundred nations over the last 14 years of working for Adventures Abroad on all the continents except for Antarctica. Commissioned by first Turkmen president, Saparmurat Niyazov, the most important mosque in Central Asia is a feat of spectacular engineering. Some of our tour leaders who've led these excursions. Get extra value with all-inclusive trips that includes top-rated eating places and resorts. Then we'll proceed to Bukhara where we we keep for the night time. Rise and shine for a visit to the only World Heritage Site in Kyrgystan – Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain, also referred to as Solomon's Throne. For centuries Silk Road travellers have sought out the mountain's caves and their petroglyphs in the perception that they would be blessed with longevity. Visit the National Historical & Archaeological Museum Complex. Turkmenistan, The Land Of Weird I’ll admit that before we started to plan this journey, I would have failed all of the above. Turkmenistan is unlikely to feature on many travelers’ bucket lists. It has no world-famous sights and its visa regime makes journey bureaucratic and expensive. While this amazing 12th-century sight is one of the high sightseeing attractions in Turkmenistan, it isn't totally known what it truly is. Many people consider this is a mausoleum, but others suppose it may be a throne room. The Forbes ranking and the capital of cultureSibiu was located on the eighth place in rating of one of the best cities to stay in Europe made by Forbes journal. Citizens of Suceava are wanting to spend time outdoors – sitting on squares or in parks. Maybe you possibly can attempt your luck at taking half in chess or backgammon at certainly one of them with locals. Located on the river bank the Throne Tower was built on the end of the 14th century. The fort partially burned two centuries later after which was rebuilt. After other damages, it went into ruin and then lastly it was reconstructed in some components in the 20th century. A white line on the walls separate the unique fragments from the 20th-century ones. This is as a end result of Ashgabat, a metropolis of perhaps 600,000 folks, is the capital of Turkmenistan, one of many final holdouts of totalitarianism in the world. Turkmenistan Airlines presents home flights to Dashogus - 6 flights per day, Mary - 3 flights per day, Turkmenabat - 5 flights per day and Turkmenbashi - three flights per day, Balkanabat. Location is correct next to the Presidential Palace, so close to everything. Continental restaurant on the top flooring has nice views, it is attainable to snap photographs of many buildings not allowed on the ground, whereas the Turkish restaurant has high quality food at cheap costs. The membership and dance floor gets packed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night time after around 11 pm. "It is beautiful," mentioned the person, Kaka, and then kissed the fingertips of his proper hand with a smack. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — On summer time afternoons, as temperatures turn out to be stifling within the Kara Kum desert, the capital of Turkmenistan typically falls quiet. The resort is an attraction in its personal right- the experience right here is analogous to any luxurious lodge in Asia. Expect to return across lots of international workers, and girls of doubtful persuasion at the lodge bar. Tours » Central Karakum Desert & Merv In 2003 the widely respected former mufti of the country, Nasrullah Ibn Ibadullah, was changed, secretly tried, and sentenced in 2004 to 22 years in jail. While the 1995 census indicated that ethnic Russians comprised virtually 7 p.c of the population, subsequent emigration to Russia and elsewhere has reduced considerably this proportion. The latter is positioned at the foothills of the Eastern Kopetdag mountain range and is loaded with historical monuments. En route we will relaxation at the ruins of Abiverd medieval fortress in Kaahka and 15c mosque in Annau. We attain Ashgabat within the late afternoon with the the rest of the day left to relaxation, sit by the pool or discover the city by yourself. A journey exterior of city takes you to the ruins of the traditional metropolis of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the center of the Parthian Kingdom. In April, authorities summoned a Jehovah's Witness to a gathering with the Chairman of the Council on Religious Affairs, who accused her of hosting a prayer assembly at her family home. She was launched in change for signing an announcement that the cost was incorrect and that she wouldn't host such meetings in the future. The Government additionally controls and restricts access to Islamic schooling. The President specified that future annual classes of spiritual college students would be limited to between 15 to twenty students a year. Myoko Lodging To re-create the soft water widespread in Japan, the Changchun tub has Japanese-made tools to take away the minerals. "Shampoo does not lather properly" in China's exhausting water, mentioned Masamori Suzuki, a director at Gokurakuyu. "Getting a massage from a whirlpool bath feels good," said one satisfied customer in a web-based publish. Guest House Bunk is a bright and clean pension style guesthouse located close to the Akakan Resort ski lifts. Run by the friendly Sasahana-san, it is an ideal alternative for households with a snow play area right alongside that is simply supervised. Enjoy the ambience of the lounge/dining area in entrance of a log fireplace with picture home windows over forest and snowy fields. Red Warehouse in Akakura Onsen, Myoko is a family ski lodge with communal self contained amenities right in the heart of the ski village. The lodge is friendly Australian ski club style but with a Japanese twist. Red Warehouse household ski lodge enjoys a suberb ski in, location in Akakura Onsen, Myoko Kogen, just off the main street. It’s a very short walk to eating places, shuttle buses and ski schools/rentals yet solely less than 3 minutes walk/ski to the ski lifts. Staff lodging in Yuzawa consists of self-contained four or six individual apartments ten minutes' walk from Gala. Each house has it's own bathroom and kitchen, though most employees reap the advantages of a meal plan which is out there via Gala. A grocery store and ironmongery store are a brief walk from the accommodation, and the city has a chemist and a convenience store amongst other issues. After the coaching interval, as soon as you have transferred to your house for the remainder of the season, you'll stay in workers accommodation. Australian Museums And Galleries Affiliation Amaga National Convention They're the single most important group of cuneiform textual content ever found, and have formed the foundations of contemporary study of Assyria. This scholar-king's library contained an unparalleled quantity and vary of data. The Ashurbanipal Library Project is making the Library freely obtainable, and researching what this assortment is, and the way and why it was assembled. The collection grew following excavations on the Assyrian sites of Nimrud and Nineveh, which produced giant numbers of stone bas-reliefs together with the well-known Lion Hunt scenes. This battle emphasizes the divide between the Sunni and Shiʿa branches of Islam; Husayn led a resistance in opposition to what the Shiʿa Muslims believed was the Umayyads’ illegitimate rule. The focus of this painting is Husayn’s half brother, ʿAbbas, mounted on a white horse as he stabs a member of Yazid’s military. Individual episodes related to the agonies suffered by Husayn and his companions main as much as and through the battle are illustrated in smaller-scale vignettes on the left. The hereafter is shown on the proper, with Husayn and his companions in heaven above and their opponents in hell under. As collaborative artists, the Lubbesmeyers discover the essential parts of their environment, as translated from literal photographs that live in their minds. Through their inventive process, the twins distill these literal photographs into color and texture. If you have any questions about our identification service, please e mail the department advance of your visit so a member of workers can advise. The Department of the Middle East provides an object identification service. TheHigh Desert Museumis positioned simply 5 minutes south of Bend, Oregon on Hwy 97 and includes a Museum store and café. Open every single day besides the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Get a close-up of native wildlife, corresponding to an otter, burrowing owl, porcupine and badger. Turkmenistan The data doesn't often determine you instantly, but it can provide you a more personalised net experience. Click on the different class headings to search out out more and alter our default settings. However, you want to know that blocking some kinds of cookies might impression your expertise on the location and the companies we're in a place to supply. Russian is given the standing of "the language of interethnical communication." In 1990 nearly half the inhabitants earned wages under the official poverty line, which was 100 rubles per thirty days at that time. Only 3.four percent of the inhabitants obtained more than 300 rubles a month in 1990. In the three years after the onset of inflation in 1991, real wages dropped by forty seven.6 %, which caused a decline in the usual of residing for most residents. In 1990 Turkmen was declared the official language of the nation, and the transition from Russian to Turkmen was to be accomplished by January 1, 1996. However, given the ethnic diversity of the nation and the lack of up to date technical vocabulary in the Turkmen language, Russian continues to be generally used by many people, including Turkmen, in urban areas. In May 1992, it was introduced that Turkmenistan would change to a Latin based mostly, Turkish modified script. Geologists set it on hearth in 1971 to try to cease the spread of methane, and it has been on hearth ever since. It is an attractive sight that ought to positively be in your bucket list of places to go. However as it's in Turkmenistan, it is quite hard to entry as it is quite difficult to obtain a visa.The Turkmen authorities does hope it's going to turn into a preferred tourist attraction and it has the potential. It is strongly really helpful that you apply for a Turkmenistan visa earlier than travelling to Turkmenistan. Festivals & Holidays In Turkmeistan Some public holidays mirror Turkmenistan’s cultural milieu, while others centre on national occasions. Like many international locations within the region, Turkmenistan celebrates the spring festival of Nōrūz. The Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are likewise observed as public holidays. A day of remembrance is held on October 6 to pay respects to the victims of the devastating 1948 earthquake in Ashgabat. Each spring, greater than 200 cherry trees on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are in full bloom. To have fun, the backyard hosts the weekend-long Cherry Blossom Festival, known by its Japanese name Sakura Matsuri. During the pageant, visitors enjoy scores of events celebrating Japanese tradition including J-pop live shows, traditional Japanese music and dance, taiko drumming, martial arts, bonsai-pruning workshops, tea ceremonies and manga artwork. National Museum of History, which contains a sizeable number of reveals representing 50,000 years of Turkmenistan’s historical past. Another museum, housed within the gold-domed Palace of Knowledge, celebrates and glorifies Niyazov. The city is full of marble edifices and golden statues, most of which had been erected throughout Niyazov’s presidency. Crazy for kites, Bali paints the sky in the course of the month of July with the annual three-day Kite Festival. Biggest is best when it comes to the kite flying competitions in Indonesia. Inquire essential information on occasions in Turkmenistan, such as finding the best occasion and pageant deals previous to leaving Indonesia. It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without the crystal ball drop in Times Square. In typical years, throngs collect in the surrounding streets to watch the performances and countdown to midnight, however the NYC event that ushered in 2021 was mostly a digital one. There is even one that has the former president, Saparmurat Niyazov using a horse, looking nearly heroic. Presently, the nation is pretty isolated from different nations and, tourism activities were minimal even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike much of the rest of the world, Bali rings within the new yr in silence. Nyepi begins three days earlier than the New Year with a cleansing ritual, adopted by a fascinating exorcism ceremony. Travelogues from Remote Lands is an online journey magazine that includes news, views, and critiques on the world of journey in Asia. Now more than ever discerning travelers need a sense of area and a feeling that where they're is really unique. In this Distance by Design issue, we look to the future of travel in the coming year, focusing on wellbeing, open areas, islands, wildlife, and private jet travel. The Means To Open A Present Shop In Your Lodge If you need a peek at Uzbek luxurious, look no further than the Tosh-Hovli Palace, which was built in the first half of the 19th century. Wander via elaborately adorned courtyards linked by labyrinthian corridors. You could spend about half a day shopping in Hanoi for silk objects like scarves, silk clothes, wall hangings, luggage and so on. If you have publish trip lodging booked with us, additionally, you will need to arrange excursions to further discover Ashgabat. You may seek the guidance of your Turkmen leader on what to book and what to do for your post tour days at an extra expense. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to depart your resort and not using a information in Ashgabat. Take a 40-minute drive to Merv, also called Margiana or Margush, and enjoy some time to explore Turkmenistan's most recognised web site. This is a giant, uncharasmatic lodge with rooms that are a bit shabby, but a good price range choice all the same. Located subsequent to the American embassy and might be your best mixture of price and quality. Yildiz lodge has a wonderful bar and restaurant on the top ground. In the primary ground, the Museum houses displays of silver jewellery for ladies and horses, and replicas of the golden bull- and wolf-head sculptures from Altyn Depe. Cable car, opened in 2006, climbing as much as 1290 meters, offering spectacular views over town with the desert in the background. Eating Places & Cafes Dining options include streetside stalls and cafes, non-public eating places, chaikhanas and, best of all, personal properties. You'll discover a variety of Russian and European beer . From a fresh pot, the primary cup of tea is usually poured away after which a piala of tea is poured out and returned twice into the pot to brew the tea. Kaimak Pure sweet cream, skimmed from fresh milk that has sat in a single day. A wickedly tasty breakfast item, that's wonderful with honey. Central Asians are keen on dried fruits and nuts, notably apricots and apricot stones, which when cracked open have a pith that tastes like pistachios. At any time of year you may discover delicious walnuts, peanuts, raisins and almonds, plus great jams (sea-buckthorn jam is an actual treat) and wonderful mountain honey . Wilbur and Salvador were our butlers who had been amazing. Additionally, we had a great time with the Recreation team. In Turkmenistan, Backed Meals Comes With Strings Hooked Up This research report has been ready utilizing the confirmed WMStrategy's methodology, including a blend of qualitative and quantitative data. The info comes from official sources and insights from market specialists , gathered by semi-structured interviews. For this explicit report, more than 10 market expert interviews have been carried out with consultants from the main market companies (producers, distributors, retailers, suppliers, and so on.). The full listing of interviewed experts and an in depth methodology can be found upon request. Turkmenistan’s economic system stays one of the most repressed in the Index. In some circumstances, if residents do not handle to buy their monthly allotment earlier than the tip of the month, they had been no longer eligible for that month’s allotment. In Ashgabat, observers have lately reported shoppers being pressured to buy undesirable goods that they may not be ready to afford, corresponding to costly rice or bottled water, at elevated prices to be allowed buy staples similar to cooking oil on the subsidized value. Browse 273 turkmenistan market inventory photos and images obtainable, or seek for kyrgyzstan to find extra great inventory photos and photos. Republic of Turkmenistan is situated in Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan. The country's natural assets are petroleum, natural fuel, coal, sulfur, and salt. These financial complexity rankings use 6 digit exports categorized based on the HS96 classification. We think about solely international locations with inhabitants of at least 1 million and exports of at least $1 billion, and products with world commerce over $500 million. To discover completely different rankings and vary these parameters visit the customized rankings part. The high export alternatives for Turkmenistan according to the relatedness index, are Crude Petroleum (0.067), Gold (0.054), Insect Resins (0.052), Other Oily Seeds (0.05), and Other Nuts (0.05). Turkmenistan Adventure Tours, Journeys & Journey Carry the name and handle of your hotel in Turkmen to indicate to drivers to return back. In addition you need to pay an additional tax for the government sponsored fuel costs, relying on the distance of your travel in Turkmenistan. Khoja Alem Baba is located near the city of Kaka, about a hundred thirty km south east of Ashgabat. Travelers ought to be prepared for journey restrictions to be enforce with little or no advance notice. Embassy Ashgabat for added data on these new measures. The constructing reminds me of Dubai’s Burj al-Arab; not only is it the fanciest resort on the town, it’s additionally one of Ashgabat’s iconic, futuristic buildings. This UFO-like construction from Soviet instances looks like it just landed throughout from Ak-Altyn resort once I look via the window the primary morning in Ashgabat. As we’re not keen on performing animals, we’re satisfied with seeing this cool construction from the surface. This isn't just any guide, you see, but the Book of the Soul, aka Turkmenbashi’s autobiography and ponderings. Every evening at 20.00 hrs, the quilt opens and a recording from the book is performed. My first thought on seeing Ashgabat was how much it reminded me of Astana . 搬家 , futuristic structure, lit up in each colour of the rainbow at night. If you're male, try to not walk with a female companion - police might think of this of walking with a prostitute and might simply arrest you. A "tourism tax" of US$ 2 per day was introduced in August 2017 and count on it to be added to your lodge bill. Not many Turkmens could have a primary understanding of English, even in the capital metropolis. Turkmenistan has no much less than one every day prepare between main cities within the country. Tickets cannot be purchased online and trains fill up fast so make sure to get one prematurely. Train classes are typical for the ex-Soviet Union however most of soviet trains have been changed with modern Chinese air-conditioned cars. Flights are subsidised, and due to gas costs, extraordinarily cheap. Central Asia It is the one former Soviet republic to have a constantly constructive trade steadiness because the collapse of the Soviet Union. Turkmenistan has a crucial shortage of industrial capacity to process its agricultural merchandise and natural assets, a state of affairs that has deteriorated considerably since 1991. Turkmenistan's 2006 oil production dropped by 0.5 million tons in 2005 to 9 million tons. With the 2006 harvest of 850,000 tons, Turkmenistan is the second largest cotton producer within the former Soviet Union after Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan was largely made up of nomadic tribes when it received its independence, and the nation continues to revere horses. It has a nationwide vacation in honor of them and horses and riders carry out daring tricks in year-round reveals across the country, as under. And the capital city, Ashgabat, was noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as the house of the most white marble-clad buildings in the world. A picture taken on May 3, 2014, reveals individuals visiting "The Gateway to Hell," an enormous burning gas crater within the coronary heart of Turkmenistan's Karakum desert. He follows within the footsteps of the country's first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, who named the month of January after himself, constructed a $50 million theme park and told people to look after their teeth by chewing on bones. A 69-foot gold leaf statue of Berdymukhamedov riding a horse was unveiled in the capital metropolis of Ashgabat in 2016 — called "The Protector." The country doesn't allow many individuals in, and its president is a fan of exhibiting off by way of picture ops and gold statues. I Stayed In Turkmenistan In A Hotel Run By Secret Police It is very straightforward to search out suitable accommodation in Ashgabat at an inexpensive price. You can get pleasure from a cushty keep for as cheap as $10. If you may be fortunate, then you may get lodging at a less expensive fee. You can get a transit visa — however that’ll solely provide you with three to five days within the nation . Travelling from Iran and must guide a resort room in Ashgabat or different cities Turkmenistan? Open supply journey information to Turkmenistan, that includes up-to-date info on sights, resorts, eating places, nightlife, journey suggestions and more. It being unclear if our room was bugged, as many hotels, cafés and public places in Ashgabat are, I determined to maintain my counsel as to my first impressions. Eating out is likely one of the many pleasures of visiting Turkmenistan. After a protracted day on the seashore, you'll be absolutely rested and may enjoy a enjoyable evening out in Aruba. Dance the night time away at certainly one of our electrifying nightclubs. When the good and cozy Aruban solar sets, the cool evening breezes carry the sounds of laughter, dance, and Caribbean rhythms. No longer a Sofitel however still one of the best hotels in Ashgabat. Location is right subsequent to the Presidential Palace, so near all of the city’s primary sights.

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hadarmarkin · 3 years

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Beyond the Purim Story: An Introduction to Persian Jewry

Centered in the ancient capital of the Perisan Empire, the story of Purim offers a glimpse into the life of the Iranian jewry- a long standing community with roots beginning in biblical times to Contemporary Iran. In the Megillah, the orphan Esther, paves her way into the royal court, and later saves her Jewish people from destruction. Although historically questionable, the Purim tale in many ways, is a microcosmos of the history of the Iranian community. A saga that could be sketched as a linear graph with sharp ups and downs, from regality to poverty, from great political power to persecution. And to add to this extraordinary trajectory, It is also one of the few Jewish communities still existing (rather miraculously) in large numbers in a Muslim country, and under radical theocratic regime.

A portrait of Queen Esther

Despite this fascinating history and the important contribution of Iraninan Jews to global commerce (which will be discussed later), the topic received very limited scholarly attention. In fact, less than a handful of books were dedicated to Persian Jewry. I lament this on a personal level as I am Iranian from my paternal side. Therefore, this post is a humble attempt for reparation. It contains a short historical view, and aims to provide a sense of its rich folklore through the lens of fictional literature and culinary.

Major Milestones in the History of Persian Jews

The Persian community is one of the oldest ones in the diaspora as it dates back to the Babylonian exile in the fourth century B.C. For the two centuries to follow, the Perisan community was linked to the Jewish communities in Babylonia and Mesopotamia. The famous Yeshivot (Torah learning academies) in Sura and Pumbedita, in which the Babylonian Talmud was crafted, were a source of guidance for the refugees in Persia. To this day, the Iraqi and the Persian communities bear much resemblance in terms of culture and religious practice. Their cooking (later discussed) is similar as well.

Babylonian Exile map

In ancient and medieval times, the Jews of Persia were well known as savvy and wealthy merchants. Situated in a prime location between China and India and Europe, Persian Jews were pivotal in what was then global commerce. Through the Silk Road and other networks of trades, Persian Jews imported spices and other goods, such as rice and tea to the west.

Silk Road’s Routs

Persian Jews were influential and properous through the first generations following the Arab Muslim conquest of Iran in the third centry A.D. Their status and living conditions deteriorated significantly with the accession of the intolerant Shiite Safavid rule. Under a regime, in which non- Muslims were considered impure heretics, Persian Jews were pushed to the margins of society and poverty. Excluding a short resurgence during the Sunni Mogul takeover of Persia in the sixteenth century, the Persian community lived under hardship and fear. The Shiite Shahs harshly oppressed minorities, denying them any position of power and restricting them to a few professions and areas of living. In several episodes in the course of the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Jews were expelled from the cities they lived in and forced to convert to Islam. Subsequently, many Persian Jews fled to Iraq, Syria, Samarkand and Georgia.

The economic and overall living situation improved in the late nineteenth century as Iran increasingly opened to the west. Although still segregated in Jewish quarters, urban Jews pursued western education. Jews, including women, gained proficiency in languages, such as English and French. They also increased their integration into local Iranian society, and named their children in both Hebrew and Parsi names. Jewish women did not veil, but they adopted the black Chador to cover their faces when out of the house. Similar to other Jewish communities at the time, girls were betrothed at age 8 or 9 and married when they were about 16. It was common for women to pilgrim to other parts of the country to visit sites, such as Queen Esther’s burial place, near Isfahan.

Queen Esther’s Tomb

The rise of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1925 marked a turning point. This transformation allowed the Jews once more to be in a position of influence both politically and economically. Many immigrated from the hinterland to Teharn to explore new opportunities, and a few became close to Risa Shah and other men in powerful posts. For the most part, this elite chose to stay in Iran after Israel’s Independence. The lower and middle class Jews opted to immigrate to the new Jewish State in 1948.

The Muslim revolution in 1979 drew a sharp decline in the status and overall safety of Iranian Jews. After decades of prosperity, the Jewish community was once again isolated and in grave danger. The initial period of the new Isalimic republic was particularly traumatic given constant harassment and even execution of several Jewish businessmen for their alleged connection to Israel and the United States. In the following years, the situation seemed to stabilize, and Jews were given a certain degree of religious autonomy. Although most Iranian Jews fled the country in several waves in the aftermath of the revolution, a sizable group remained. Today, their number is estimated at nine thousand. Given the lack of reliable information, their overall condition is unclear. Recent imgirants paint an ambiguous image of harmony with Muslim neighbors, and yet a feeling of imminent threat. Unsurprisingly, Iranian news reports emphasize the community’s well being and alignment with the regime.

Images of contemporary community life

Outside of Iran, Israel and North America are the main hubs of Iranian Jewry and smaller pockets exist in London, Melbourne and Buenos Aires. Two significant communities in the United States are located in Great Neck, New York (also known as Persian Island) and in Los Angeles (it’s estimated that about 25 percent of Beverly Hills population is of an Iranian- Jewish descent). Many of the immigrants in America were able to bring their fortune to the new land and used their capital and expertise to start businesses in the clothing, food and electricity industries.

In Israel, as an attempt to integrate, Iranian Jews adapted to the culture and values of mainstream society while leaving their own heritage behind. This may be a gross generalization, but sociological studies, statistics and experience of living in Israel suggest a trend of assimilation. As a result of their pragmatism, Iranian Jews have made great accomplishments in the sphere of public service. The IDF, in particular, was a stepping stone to obtain power within the military (and later in Israeli politics). Among its current and former ranks, one can find a high number of generals of Iranian descent, including two chiefs of staff.

Real Persian Housewives

An exception to the unspoken policy of concealing Persian legacy is the author Dorit Rabinyan. Born in Israel into a warm tight knit Iranian family, Rabinyan used her gift for writing to bring Persian tradition into the spotlight. Inspired by her grandmothers and aunts’ tales of life in the old country, Rabinyan published her first novel Persian Brides (titled in Hebrew, The Almond Tree Road in Oumrijan) when she was only 21 years old. The book, an immediate bestseller, was widely translated and praised by critics, describing Rabinyan as a meteor and comparing her to Gabriel García Márquez”.

Dorit Rabinyan

In Persian Brides, Rabinyan masterfully crafted a new hybrid of Hebrew- rich and whimsical -Parsi sounding text. Through her vivid language, Rabinyan invites the reader to experience the surreal Persian village of Oumrijan in the dawn of the twentieth century. The plot centers around two maidens, Flora and Nazie Retoryan, and their dramas involving marriages, pregnancies and relationships with their neighbors and the village demons.

Since marriage is a central thread in the book, there are many descriptions of ceremonies and superstitions involving the bride to be. One of them, hilarious and sad at the same time, is the qualification test performed the day before the wedding. This is a test run by the mother of the groom in order to assess if the future daughter in law will qualify as a housewife. So what makes a good Persian housewife? The answer is superior herb chopping skills... perhaps understandable given the amount of vegetables used in Persian cooking (see section below). During the test, the poor girl needs to demonstrate how quickly and meticulously she handles a massive amount of greens needed for Khoresht Sabzi- a traditional stew. The pressure around the “Sabzi test” was so daunting that bleeding injuries, including losing fingers, were common. Here is the excerpt from the book:

“The bride had to prove her skills in cleaning and chopping the Sabzi, the herbs that Janjan sold in the market...the women of the village and relatives circled the bride...On a silver tray, they put bunches of celery, traggon, sage, rosemary, mint, spring onions and parsley. Homma (the bride) was sitting on the ground with her legs crossed as the Sabzi stems hill reached all the way up to her breast… Homma began quickly by separating the leaves and the roots from the celery, the spring onion stems from its onion, the sage from its delicious smelling flower buds, all of these were soaked in a big water bowl. later, the mint, tarragon and parsley leaves were washed as well...Homma reached for the sharp knife. Its blade was shining, and the women were shushing each other. Nazie knew that the tested brides sometimes get injured because of the pressure, and sometimes they even cut off their fingers. When that happens they deposit the cut finger with their mother, and continue to chop while they are heavily bleeding. But if not a single blood drop spilled during the test, and the herbs were finely chopped, the women sang and danced in circles around the bride as she was proven to be a skillful and well trained cook at her parents’ kitchen”.

Khoresht Sabzi Recipe

In honor of poor Persian housewives, I am including here a recipe of Khoresht Sabzi. This is a more user friendly version of this staple dish as it allows using dried herbs (although I highly recommend fresh for flavor), and it calls for a smaller variety of herbs. Note though that other available herbs (for example, dill, traggon, basil) will be a wonderful addition to the herbs listed below. In addition, middle eastern grocers sell pre cut Sabzi mixes (either dried or frozen), which can make the process even easier. Lastly, I listed lamb as one of the ingredients, but variations are welcome. In my family, Khoresht Sabzi was served with chicken, but it is also fabulous as a vegan dish (see modification below) as I prepare it.

Khoresht Sabzi- Adapted from Najmieh Batmanglij’s book Food of Life: Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies.

6 tbsp oil, butter or ghee

2 large onions thinly sliced

2 pounds lamb shank (optional)

2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground pepper

1 tsp turmeric

½ cup drained kidney beans - either canned or soaked overnight (increase the amount to 1 cup if omitting meat)

2 whole limu- omani - dried persian limes pierced

4 cups finely chopped fresh parsley or 1 cup dried

1 cup finely chopped fresh chives or scallions or ¼ cup dried chives

1 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

3 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves or 1 cup chopped fresh fenugreek

¼ cup lime juice

1 tsp ground cardamom

½ tsp of saffron threads dissolved in

2 tbsp of rose water (or hot water)

Let the chopping begin

1. In a large saucepan (preferably a dutch oven), heat 3 tbsp oil over medium heat, and browned the onions and meat (if using). Add salt, pepper and turmeric, and sauté for 1 minute.

2.Pour 4½ cups of water, and add the kidney beans and dried limes. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.

3.Meanwhile, in a wide skillet, heat 3 tbsp oil over medium heat, and sauté the parsley, chives, cilantro and fenugreek for about 20-25 minutes stirring frequently to avoid the burning of the herbs.

shrinking herbs

4. Add the herbs mixture, lime juice, cardamom, and saffron with its water to the large saucepan. Cover and let simmer for 2 -2 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Simmering slowly

5. Check if meat and beans are tenders and add salt if needed.

6. Serve warm on a bed of steamed basmati rice.

Gratifying bowl on a cold winer night

Festive, Aromatic and Nutritious: A General Note on Persian (and Jewish) cuisine

Khoresht Sabzi - quintessential among Jews and their Muslim neighbors- can shed light on the Iranian kitchen as a whole and its link to Persian folklore. The Israeli celebrity chef, Yotam Ottolenghi wrote on this topic, in his book Plenty More:

“My Previous life must have been somewhere in old Persia. I am absolutely convinced of this. I am completely infatuated with the richness of Persian cuisine, by its clever use of spices and herbs, by the inguianty of its rice making, by pomegranate, saffron, and pistachios, by yogurt, mint, and dried limes. It seems that my palate is just naturally honed for this set of flavors”.

Ottolenghi’s words well capture the exotic and diverse essense of Persian cuisine. Specifically, the culinary practices of contrasting dominant flavors (obtained by adding sour taste, such as pomegranate or lime juice to savory dishes), and textures (for instance, the combination of dried fruit and herbs) are indeed extraordinary. The slow cooking of a wide array of fruit (such as pears, apricots, dates and cherries), nuts (pistachios, almond and walnut) and spices (saffron, cinnamon and turmeric) also add a layer of complexity and colorfulness.

Typical Persian assortment

The Zoroastrian concept of duality between good and bad, light and darkness -embedded in Iranian culture- was a key factor in the development of Persian cuisine. It inspired the aforementioned balance between sweet and sour, hot and cold, lean and fatty that exists in many dishes. Concerned with health, and mainly digestion, Persian cooking offers a dichotomy between hot foods, which thicken the blood and increase the metabolism, and cold foods that do the opposite. Dates and grapes are, for instance, “hot”, while plum and oranges are “cold”. A diet consisting only of one type of food can essentially imbalance the body and lead to an illness. Accordingly, the high consumption of herbs and green vegetables in almost every meal also stems from the concern regarding nutritional properties adjuncting food and medicine.

Iran’s historic role in importing goods from the far east and its interactions with its neighboring regions also shaped the culinary culture. Particularly, the Mogul - indian conquest and the long Ottoman reign increased the selection of spices, and introduced dishes, such as baklava and yogurt to the Iranian repertoire. These interchanges also spread Iranian staple dishes to other parts of Central Asia and the Middle east. Sephardic communities in these areas, particularly in Iraq and Turkey, adopted the Persian combination of fruit with meat, and rice with legumes.

Rice is perhaps the most iconic Iranian staple. It is made with a sense of perfection aiming to avoid porridge-like texture. Rice is commonly prepared either as Choleh - steamed with saffron scent and a crunchy crust (Tahdig) or as pilaf - mixed with vegetable, fruit and beans. A very colorful pilaf is the Wedding rice served with almonds and dried fruit.

The Art of Tahdig

Hearty stews, known as Khoreshts (such as the aforementioned Khoresht Sabzi) frequently accompany the rice. Khoreshts are vegetable and herb based but utilize local ingredients unique to specific regions of the country (caviar in the Caspian sea area, for example). Another important dish is Kuku- a savory bake that can be compared to crustless quiche (or an Israeli Pashtida). Popular Kuku are made out of herbs, eggplant (also known as Iraninan potato) and my favorite cauliflower. At the end of the meal, Iranians enjoy a cup of tea served with a sugar cube and a nut based treat, such as nougat or walnut cookies.

Kuku: Colorful and heathy

Persian-Jewish cuisine is basically identical to the majority cuisine with one main distinction. Due to Kosher dietary laws that separate meat and dairy, Jews refrained from using Ghee (clarified butter) and yogurt in meat stews. Iranian Jews contributed a very popular dish to the Iranian collection - Gondy chickpeas dumplings that are traditionally cooked in chicken broth.

Gondy: The Persian answer to Matzah Balls

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automaticphantomalpaca · 3 years

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Benefits and risks of circumcision

Chinese Shang Ring adult male circumcision (SC) is a safe and effective procedure which is easy to learn and to perform. By a specially designed small device, male circumcision (MC) can be performed in 5 min. Compared with conventional adult MC (CC), SC has shorter operation time, less blood loss, less pain score, higher appearance satisfaction rate, and lower complication rate. SC was first developed in China. As recent studies have demonstrated that MC reduced the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection via vaginal intercourse in African countries, SC was introduced into Africa to fight HIV. Other sexually transmitted diseases such as human papillomavirus infection may also be prevented by SC. In conclusion, Chinese Shang Ring, a small device, provides an easy, quick, safe, and effective method to perform adult MC.

Circumcision is an operation to remove a male’s foreskin. It is one of the oldest and most common surgical procedures. A male may undergo this procedure for religious, social, medical, or cultural reasons.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage male circumcision on the basis that it appears to reduce the risk of HIV infection during vaginal sex. However, not all health authorities agree, and the recommendations remain somewhat controversial.

Adult circumcision device is fairly commonly used in the United States. In fact, according to the CDC, 58.3%Trusted Source of U.S. newborns underwent circumcision in 2010.

It is less common in other Western countries, however. In the United Kingdom, for example, only around 8.5% of males are circumcised.

This article will discuss what to expect during the procedure itself, as well as some possible benefits and risks.

What is circumcision?

Circumcision involves the removal of the foreskin of the penis. The foreskin is the shroud of skin that, when gently pulled back, uncovers the head of the penis.

The surgery is relatively simple. A healthcare professional will free the foreskin from the head of the penis and, in newborns, clip it off in a procedure that only takes a few minutes. In adults, they will remove the foreskin with a scalpel, and it takes around 30 minutes.

They will then either cauterize or stitch the wound with dissolvable sutures.

History

The first circumcisions may have taken place around 15,000 years ago. The procedure then slowly spread across a variety of cultures, especially in the Middle East.

It may have become popular in the ancient world as a public health measure and a way of preventing balanitis. Balanitis leads to swelling and pain in the head of the penis.

This condition might have been more common in ancient societies due to sand building up under the foreskin.

Circumcision became popular in the Western world in the late 19th century, when people began performing the operation in an attempt to prevent masturbation. Many believed that masturbation was associated with conditions such as epilepsy, paralysis, tuberculosis, and insanity.

However, there was little compelling evidence to support these claims. As the newly formed national healthcare systems started facing rising costs, they stopped recommending the procedure.

In the U.S., however, it has remained a relatively common practice, and some major health authorities do still encourage it.

Why circumcise newborns?

A number of factors are associated with neonatal circumcision.

The most common are:

religion

hygiene

health considerations

Some studies have suggested that circumcision reducesTrusted Source the risk of urinary tract infection, but more recent findings have contradicted this, with some suggesting that it might actually increase the risk.

Evidence has indicated a lower risk of some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including syphilis. Circumcised males, using male circumcision device, also appear to be less likely to contract herpes or HIV.

In very rare cases, balanitis or phimosis can develop in an uncircumcised male. With these conditions, the foreskin cannot retract. This requires surgical treatment.

Cancer of the penis is extremely rare, but it appears to be slightly more commonTrusted Source in males with a high body mass index (BMI), males with a history of smoking, males who are uncircumcised, and those with a combination of these factors.

Adult circumcision

Circumcision is less common in adults than in children. It takes longer and is likely to involve more tissue trauma. It may also cause more psychological trauma than it does in newborns.

However, it may reduce the risk of certain conditions, including phimosis, paraphimosis, and balanitis.

Phimosis is the inability to pull back the foreskin, leading to pain and urinary problems. It can occur if a male is born with a tight foreskin, or due to scarring, infection, or inflammation. Treatment options include topical corticosteroids or circumcision.

Paraphimosis occurs when the foreskin becomes stuck behind the head of the penis and restricts blood flow to the end of the penis. It can result from a medical intervention, such as the use of a catheter. Paraphimosis is a medical emergency. Without treatment, gangrene can result. Treatment aims to reduce the swelling, but most doctors recommend circumcision after recovery, in order to prevent the condition reoccurring.

Balanitis occurs when the head of the penis becomes inflamed or swollen. This may be due to an STI, thrush, skin irritation, or another skin condition. It is uncommon in circumcised males. Circumcision can prevent balanitis reoccurring.

Circumcision and HIV

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is “compelling evidence” to suggest that adult circumcision device reduces the risk of contracting HIV during vaginal sex by 60%Trusted Source .

However, they point out that circumcision will offer only partial protection, and they urge people to use barrier methods such as condoms as well.

The higher chance of infection may be because the foreskin becomes more prone to splits and ruptures during intercourse, allowing pathogens to enter the bloodstream.

Another possibility is that the space between the penis and the foreskin might provide an environment in which a virus can survive for a period of time, raising the risk of infection for the individual and their next partner.

Some argue that the U.S. has a relatively high rate of HIV despite high circumcision rates. In addition, the results of studies in Africa and Asia associating circumcision with HIV prevention, mainly in heterosexual populations, may not translate to the U.S.

Risks

Circumcision is a relatively safe procedure, and severe complications are rare.

However, the following risks are possible:

The surgeon cuts the foreskin too short or leaves it too long.

The wound does not heal properly.

Blood loss and hemorrhage occur.

Meatal stenosis occurs. This condition causes the urinary stream to be deflected upward, making it difficult to aim.

Damage affects the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine through the penis. This can make urination difficult.

In very rare cases, there may be accidental amputation of the head of the penis.

Blood infection or poisoning, known as septicemia, may develop.

The foreskin left behind might reattach to the penis and require further minor surgery.

There may be a decrease in the sensation of the penis, especially during intercourse.

Complications are more likely Trusted Source when:

an older male undergoes the procedure

the procedure takes place in unsterile conditions

inexperienced or untrained providers carry out the procedure

the procedure takes place in a traditional manner, as a rite of passage

If a qualified medical professional carries out the procedure in a sterile environment, the risks are minimal.

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