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African Diaries — The Other Kenya
21 November 2020 | Africa, Journeys, Kenya, Places | 4 comments
Kenya has long been synonymous with safari (the Swahili word for travel), unless you are a water-sports enthusiast. In that case, it's the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, home to seven national marine parks alive with coral gardens, multi-colored fish and sea turtles, that will call your name.
The Serena Beach Resort overlooked the Indian Ocean with the grace of an Arabian palace.
Always ready to embrace the best of all worlds, I decided that after a twenty-four hour journey across two continents in airplanes booked to capacity to take me there, I would first catch my breath on the coast before starting my exploration of the famous games reserves of the country.
Shanzu Beach
The guest accommodations were nestled in lush tropical gardens.
Built along the idyllic stretch of palm-fringed sand of Shanzu Beach, some 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Mombasa, the Serena Beach Resort rose from the shoreline with the intriguing elegance of an ancient Swahili town. Inspired by the rich architectural tradition of the East African Coast, the property was divided in a number of whitewashed two- and three-story buildings nestled in lush tropical gardens.
An ornamental fish pond bordered the plaza.
The public areas had the feel of an Arabian palace, with oriental furnishing and rugs. The trellised terraces of its main restaurant opened onto a large central fountain, and further down toward the beach, an ornamental fish pond filled with aquatic plants bordered a plaza designed to recall a Swahili town marketplace.
My room opened onto a shaded balcony.
The guest accommodations had intricately carved wooden balconies and fretwork screens overlooking courtyards shaded by exuberant bougainvilleas and frangipane trees in bloom. They were clustered along narrow stone-paved alleyways winding toward the ocean. But before I would enjoy the lure of the sea, my travel-wearing body yearned for a visit to the Maisha Spa.
Maisha Spa
The hallway was oulined with frangipani blossoms.
Located in a remote corner of the gardens, the Spa was a heaven of tranquil luxury within the seclusion of brightly whitewashed walls. Although mine had been an impulse visit, the staff kindly managed to schedule an immediate massage for me. Shortly thereafter, clad in a plush white cotton robe and smart leather sandals, I was following an attendant along a marble floor hallway outlined with frangipani blossoms.
The serene treatment rooms induced total relaxation.
My treatment suite was equally inviting, with an oversized, state-of-the art massage bed and exotic fretwork sliding doors that opened onto a beautifully landscaped private courtyard. Diffused natural light bathed the entire area. And best of all, my therapist was as exceptional as the surrounding. A steel-fingered magician, she delivered a memorable treatment that had all the therapeutic benefits of a deep-tissue massage without the usual discomforts. Now fully rejuvenated, I was ready to investigate the shore activities.
Mombasa Marine National Reserve
Local sailors proposed ngawala trips to the reef.
The Serena Resort was blessed with an expansive frontage of lawn and soaring palm grove overlooking the silky sands and gentle surf of the Mombasa Marine National Reserve, a 80 square mile (210 square kilometers) environment of crystalline waters and pristine beaches. In the distance, a roll of whitecaps announced the famed coral reef laying a short 15-minute boat ride away. Friendly local sailors in their ancient ngawalas (traditional local trimorants made from the trunks of mango trees) and mtumbwis (small dug out canoes) were always ready to negotiate a price to ferry visitors to the reef.
The reef was alive with colorful fish darting around the coral.
I couldn't resist trying out a ngagwala ride, just for fun, but I booked a "proper" dive boat excursion the next day, for an organized morning of snorkeling. The sea was perfectly calm, crystalline and warm. It was a thrill to float above the busy life of the reef. Along with a couple of varieties of coral, I spotted a number marine species, including sea urchin, crabs, starfish, octopus, sea cucumbers, more varieties of fish than I could identify and even a couple of the sea-turtles in the distance, for a memorable snorkeling experience.
An Endangered Turtle Sanctuary
Yet, the most significant memory of my stay occurred later, on the last evening of my visit. Earlier on, I had expressed interest in the hotel's involvement in a project aimed to protect the nesting sites of the endangered migratory Green Sea Turtle.
The Serena Resort's beach was a nesting sanctuary for the endangered migrating Green Turtles.
As I was leaving the restaurant after dinner, I was intercepted by a staff member. A cache of Green Sea Turtle eggs had been salvaged that afternoon from an exposed area up the coast. They were about to be resettled in a safe nest on the property's sanctuary. Did I care to participate? Did I ever! I was immediately escorted to the site and introduced to Dr. David Olendo, the biologist in charge of the project. Under his guidance, I spent the next hour digging in the sand and helping to deposit some 140 eggs into their new nest, in the precisely correct position to ensure safe hatching. I regret to this day that I couldn't be there sixty days later to see the hatchlings make their precarious run to the sea. but I like to think that another fortunate Resort guest did enjoy the experience.
Getting there — By Air: Moi International Airport was the international airport deserving Mombasa. It offered several daily connecting flights from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the main entry point for international visitors to Kenya. Moi International is 30 kilometers (18 miles) west of Shanzy Beach. Transportation to and from the airport could be easily pre-arranged through the property.
Staying there — The Serena Resort and Spa was a five star luxury resort featuring 164 rooms in two- and three-level structures scattered village-style within 25 hectares (62 acres) of lush gardens, along a 2 kilometer (1.25 mile) beach. The beach was part of the Mombasa Marine National Park and Preserve.
Activities — In addition to its gorgeous beach, the Resort featured a free-form Olympic-length swimming pool located in the center of the palm grove overlooking the sea. All manners of water-sports activities including diving, snorkeling and wind-surfing could be arranged through the Resort. Additionally complimentary recreational activities included a fully equipped health club, with tennis and squash courts.
Shanzu Beach, Kenya
African Diaries – Along the Zambezi River
7 November 2020 | Africa, Journeys, Places, Zambia | 4 comments
Having returned from the remote South Luangwa National Park irrevocably enthralled by my first experience in the African wilderness, I was yearning to get back to Zambia. When there is a will… I was off again the following June, to discover the national parks along the Zambezi River, right at the start of the ideal "dry season."
Lower Zambezi National Park
Byy the end of the rainy season, the Lower Zambezi flood plain turns into a broad expanse of lagoons.
Located on the northern bank of the Zambezi, downstream from Lake Kariba, the Lower Zambezi National Park remains an area of primeval wilderness. This 75-mile (120-kilometer) stretch of land between the Chongwe River and the confluence of the Luangwa River extends 20 miles (32 kilometers) inland to the Zambezi Escarpment. Although the park covers an area of 1,580 square miles (4,092 square kilometers), the escarpment acts as a natural barrier to many species, concentrating most of the game's activity near the edge of the river.
Hippos rush to the Chongwe River.
The valley was home to many mammal species including hippopotamus, elephant, buffalo, zebra, lion, leopard, genet, civet, and a large number of gazelles. It also offered some of the most abundant and colorful birdlife I had come across anywhere. The river bank was scalloped with channels that created lush islands along the main river. This idyllic environment had led a few of the most reputed safari operators in the country to develop a number of luxury camps along the river. My favorites had managed to retain a laidback bush camp vibe.
The view extended across the Zambezi to the Zimbabwe.
Stretched along the bank of the Chongwe, at the point where it met the Zambezi, the Chongwe River Camp offered a sweeping view of the western boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park and Zimbabwe's famed Mana Pools on the far bank of the river. The inspired architecture of the lounge with its curving concrete platforms lined with thick pads and toss pillows, showcased the exuberant wilderness that surrounded the camp. Throughout the day, elephants and buffalos came to the water for a drink or a bath, while pods of hippos filled the river like so many moving islands.
A Goliath Heron takes flight. With a wingspan of 185–230 cm (73–90.5 in), it is the world largest living heron.
Drives across the Chongwe River into the park were always exciting, but my favorite way to explore this unique environment was from the water. Canoeing down the quiet, shady channels was as blissful a safari experience as I have ever come across, enhanced by the expertise of my guide, Wedmore Kumbani. He could unobtrusively stir our canoe to find a leopard stealthily quenching its thirst or a fifteen-foot long Nile crocodile sunning on the bank. I also credit him for introducing me to the joys of birding by allowing me observe close-up the rich birdlife on the river, from the giant Goliath Heron to the jewel-like Malachite Kingfisher.
Memorable first sighting of a Malachite Kingfisher.
My first sighting of the latter remains an adrenalin-charged memory to this day. Wedmore spotted one of the tiny birds clinging to a reed and maneuvered us to it. I single-mindedly began shooting while he was nudging the canoe to get me ever closer. Suddenly, from beneath us, a submerged hippo decided to make its presence known. It abruptly surfaced, its flank scraping the side the canoe, sending it spinning. Wedmore skillfully steadied it while I clung frantically to my camera. The bird was long gone by now, but I had memorable images of my eventful first sighting of a Malachite Kingfisher, and after calm had returned, of my closest encounter ever with a hippo.
Chiawa Camp
My tented suite featured an open deck with an irresistible claw-footed Victorian bathtub with a view.
Chiawa Camp was my idea of what Eden should be: spectacular views, abondant game activity, and outstanding creature comforts. Nestled under a lush canopy of riverine forest in the heart of the Park, Chiawa blended so unobtrusively into its surroundings that elephants and buffalos routinely paraded within feet of my tent on their way to the river. More than once, the short walk from the lounge to my tent was delayed while a pachyderm ambled down the path, claiming its incontestable right of way.
An unexpected visitor shows up for lunch at Chiawa.
The two-story open-front lounge sat a short walk up a gentle slope from the edge of the water. The upper deck offered a panoramic view of the river. A telescope made for close up observation of the game hiding in the high undulating grass that covered the small islands nearby. With so many enticements to an armchair safari, the hardest thing about Chiawa was to select from the variety of daily game watching activities, on land and water, available at the camp.
Connecting with a young lion with along the Chilanga channel.
My visit to Chiawa was rich in exceptional moments, such as canoeing along the secluded Chilanga channel. As my guide smoothly navigated the canoe in the dappled shade of overhanging winter thorn acacias, we came upon a pair of lions enjoying a drink a few feet away on the riverbank. I experienced a prolonged spine-tingling eye contact with one the gorgeous felines before we all carried on with our own pursuits. Another moment forever imprinted on my mind, while star-gazing in the warm night echoing with bird calls and hippo snorts, was to discover the Southern Cross, perfectly outlined among the millions of stars in the black velvet of the African sky. Safari doesn't get any better than this.
Mosi-oa-Tunya is the largest sheet of falling water on the planet.
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Mosi-oa-Tunya ("Smoke that Thunders" in the Kalolo-Lozi tribe's dialect) plunge 108 meters (355 feet) down in a stunning 1.7- kilometer (1.05- mile) wide waterfall across the Zambezi River. Columns of spray can be seen from miles away from the estimated 500 millions cubic meters (150 million gallons) of water per minute that plumet over the edge. British explorer David Livingston is thought to have been the first European to set eyes on the falls (on November 16, 1855), which he named after his queen.
My Tongabezi guide took took me to the edge of the chasm for a close up rainbow experience.
The Falls are within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a 66 square kilometer (25 square mile) stretch of land that goes from the Songwe Gorge below the Falls in a north-west arc along about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) of the Zambian river bank. Roughly one million people visit the Falls each year, which has prompted the development a large tourism infrastructure, especially around the town of Livingston, just upstream from the park, where lodges now crowd the river-frontage and hotel buildings lurk on the horizon. Fortunately further up-river, a few prestigious, long established river lodges have retained their timeless elegance and pristine riverfront environment.
Tongabezi
A magical Tongabezi sunset.
While exchanging experiences with kindred adventurers traveling through the game parks of Zambia, conversation would often drift to favorite lodges and camps. Invariably, someone would bring up Tongabezi. Those who had visited where enthusiastic; those who had not were wistful. Guides and staff always spoke of "Tonga" with respect. As soon as I arrived at Tongabezi, I understood how it had come to be a standard by which Zambian luxury properties were measured.
Al fresco dining at Tongabezi.
Some 20 kilometers (12 miles) upstream from Victoria Falls and Livingstone, across from the Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwe side of the river, Tongabezi was nestled in a meticulously tended grove of ebony trees overlooking a magnificent bend of the Zambezi River. With its superb service, exquisite cuisine, and the mighty Zambezi shimmering under the midday sun or reflecting the rising moon, it was a serene haven for a gentle re-entry into the outside world after two weeks weeks in the bush. And the perfect venue from which to explore the Falls.
Pied Kingfisher were a constant sight along the river.
My first visit to Mosi-oa-Tunya was at ground level in the company of my guide, who took me along trails that allowed me to get dizzyingly close to the abyss, where I could feel and breathe the spray, and capture perfect rainbows. After this exhilaratingly visceral experience, I went to gaze upon the Falls just as Livingston first did. Tongabezi held the concession for what is now known as Livingston Island, at the head of the Falls. Here, after a short boat ride, I enjoyed a gourmet picnic lunch at the edge of the chasm. David Livingston never had it so good!
Areal view of the geological evolution of the falls and gorges.
I returned the next day for a bird's eye view of the Falls, in a small bubble-canopy helicopter that flew me all around the area. In addition to taking in the thunderous natural wonder, this areal perspective gave me a fascinating view of its geological evolution. Since its original formation in the Upper Paleolithic age (20,000 b.c.), six individual gorges have formed, and the Falls have recessed eight times, all previous positions clearly visible from up high.
The Lower The Zambezi National Park stretches between the Zambezi River and the Escarpment.
Lower Zambezi — Because of its remote location and limited infrastructure, the Lower Zambezi National Park is not easily accessible. It is best reached via small (loosely) scheduled prop planes to air strips barely larger than a dirt road. However, its pristine isolation and the outstanding density and variety of game congregating along the river, coupled with the luxury of the camps along the river make it superb destination well worth the effort.
Chongwe—Chongwe River Camp has nine classic tents under thatch and two private tented 'suites', the Albida (two-bedroomed) and the Cassia (one bedroom honeymoon).
Chiawa— The camp is a property of Chiawa Safaris https://www.chiawa.com . It has nine luxury tents that can accommodate up to 16 guests, each raised on wooden decks with river views.
Tongabezi—The awards-winning Tongabezi Lodge https://tongabezi.com offers six private Houses and five River Cottages nestled on the banks of the Zambezi River, accommodating two to five guests each.
Victoria Falls, Zambia
South Luangwa National Park,
African Diaries—Into Zambia
25 October 2020 | Africa, Journeys, Places, Zambia | 4 comments
First, travel plans for this year ground to a halt in early March. Then came the realization that it could be well into next year before it may be reasonable to begin dusting off my passport. That's when Africa started calling me – again. But memories will have to do for now.
South Luangwa National Park
On approach for landing in Mfuwe.
My love affair with Africa began well over a decade ago in the South Luangwa National Park, a 3,500 square-mile (9,050 square-kilometer) stretch of pristine wilderness hidden away in the north-eastern corner of Zambia. After years of yearning, months of planning and a mind-numbing 48-hour succession of flights that had taken me from Houston to the tiny airport of Mfuwe, I was bouncing in an open-top land-cruiser, on a rocky dirt trail heading deep into the park.
The valley draws a rich concentration of game.
Its eastern border follows the Luangwa River as it makes its convoluted way toward the Zambezi River, leaving behind a patchwork of oxbow lakes and lagoons. This remote valley, with its ruggedly varied landscape of savanna and forest, is considered by experts to hosts one of the richest concentration of game in Africa.
Comfortable bush camps are nestled along the banks of the Luangwa River.
Unsurprisingly, this has led a few of the most reputed safari operators in the country to develop a number of small seasonal bush camps in close proximity to the river. Over the next couple of weeks, I was to visit several of them. Each had a unique character, influenced by its location and the wildlife it attracted. I credit the exhilaration of this first experience for my a lifelong passion for the African bush.
The demise of the giraffe is a bounty for a hyena.
The hyena's cub intently takes in the scene.
The two-hour drive to Kuyenda, the camp where I was to spend the next two nights, might be long forgotten by now if not for a couple of images forever imprinted on my mind. First came the breathtaking blood-orange sunset that briefly set ablaze the endless African sky before the entire landscape faded to black.
Then sometime later, a dead giraffe. My driver detoured off-road into the brush, lights muted, explaining that the carcass of an old male had been reported here earlier in the day, and would I mind if we checked it out? I wouldn't. The still relatively intact giraffe was sprawled across a small clearing, and a hyena had beat us to it.
Behind her, her cub was peering tentatively out of the shadows. "This is the circle of life in the bush," my companion commented philosophically. "Within a week the scavengers will have it all cleaned up," he added, doubtless to assuage my tourist's sensibilities.
Kuyenda
Phil has been active in the valley for over half a century in various wildlife preservation capacities. He is considered one of Zambia's most respected naturalists.
Kuyenda was a classic African bush camp: four cozy wood and reed private guest rondavels (circular huts) under thatch, with open-air en-suite bathrooms and overhead drum showers, clustered around a spacious open-walled dining and lounge area. This is where we congregated at dawn over a hearty cooked breakfast, four guests from various parts of the world and our host, the resident camp manager and guide, Phil Berry.
Open top land-cruisers are the limousines of the bush.
Game watching meant adapting to the rhythm of the sun and the moon, as the wildlife has since the beginning of time. But the wonder of a pristine new day was well worth the ruthlessly early wakeup call. We settled into the land-cruiser, with Phil stopping to point out every new animal or bird sighting. A herd of skittish impalas snapped to attention as went approached, while baby baboons roughhousing in a tree didn't even grant us a look.
My very first elephant sighting ever!
Then we came upon a venerable bull elephant, standing within twenty feet of our truck, apparently still half asleep himself. My very first elephant in the wild! I'd see many more in the days to come, but that first sighting remains unforgettable, even though he gave us only a perfunctory glance before turning his attention to the foliage of a nearby Mopane tree (an elephant favorite treat) for his breakfast.
The magic of a Kuyenda dusk.
The instant that sealed my fate as a hardcore safari enthusiast came that evening, as we were sipping our Sundowner – alcoholic (or not) beverage of your choice (make mine Gin and Tonic, thank you), usually enjoyed while watching the sun set over an especially scenic vista. We were stopped in the dry, sandy bed of the Manzi River, taking in the the perfect stillness of dusk, when we spotted a pair adult male lions unhurriedly making their silent way across our line of vision.
Chamilandu
A family of pukus drops by for a morning drink near the camp.
Chamilandu was the most intimate of the camps I visited on this trip: three spacious tree-houses with outdoor showers, perched on ten-foot high platforms. Each was fully open onto its private deck with a startling 180 degree view of the Luangwa River and the distant the Nchendeni Hills. This privileged riverfront location ensured outstanding game viewing at camp as well as on walks and drives nearby.
An hippo mother and young calf emerge from the river at sunset.
A pleasant morning walk offered an excellent close-up view of the abundant water-fowl population. A sundowner drive took us to a nearby cliff to observe a large pod of hippos as they emerged from the river to browse, and afforded us the treated of a colony of Carmine bee-eaters nesting into the cliff. On the way back we got the added excitement of sighting a leopard stealthily on its way to its nightly errands.
Kudu bulls sport impressive spiraling horns.
Other favorite memories of Chamilandu? The ready access to water repeatedly brought herds of elephants to the river, and a varied population of antelopes, among them the majestic spiral-horned kudus. This abundance of antelopes meant predators weren't far behind. We came across an especially regal male one night, who seemed quite offended by our intrusion.
Chindeni
Dawn over the Chindeni lagoon.
Tucked in the shade of ancient ebony trees at the apex of a permanent oxbow lagoon, Chindeni was a verdant oasis in the parched immensity of the park when I visited in the final weeks of the dry season. The four tented guest accommodations were raised on wooden platforms at the edge of a bluff overlooking the lagoon. As was the panoramic lounge, cleverly arranged around the trunk of a giant ebony tree that contributed both a sculptural quality and cooling shade to the structure. It was the perfect spot to enjoy an early pre-drive breakfast while contemplating the dramatic sunrise over the hills.
Lionesses are settling in for their siesta.
While the overall variety of game viewing in and around the camp was impressive, my Chindeni experience is forever associated with lions – a major pride of them! We first spotted them at the end of a morning drive, several females of various ages and a couple of adolescent males, all looking sated and ready to settle down in a shady glade for their afternoon siesta.
Tree-climbing lions are an extremely rare sight.
We returned to the area to look for them at the start of our late afternoon drive, and were rewarded with a startling sight: a tree full of lions! The entire pride was draped high in the branches of a huge winter thorn tree, having climbed there, doubtless in search of a cooling breeze to relieve them from the heavy afternoon heat. Now they were gingerly starting to stir, contemplating the challenge of every treed cat in the world: how to get down?
The Mfuwe Lodge
Elephants are a constant sight at the Mfuwe Lodge.
Although time seemed to stand still during my enchanted stay in in the park, sadly, it hadn't. With a morning flight out of Mfuwe to start the long journey home, I spent the last two nights of my visit at the Mfuwe lodge. With 18 guest chalets and all the amenities expected from a luxury full service hotel, the Lodge was a good way to ease myself back into the "real world." Although located within the park, it was a mere five-minute drive from the main gate and 45 minutes away from the airport. As in the camps I was still able to enjoy a day's worth of game drives.
Elephant and hippo are having a territorial disagreement.
A tiny elephant calf is learning to manage a mud hole.
But the highpoint of my stay unfolded right in front of my chalet. From my balcony overlooking the lagoon, at the time reduced to a series of puddles, I spent an entertaining afternoon watching a mud fight between a hippo and a breeding herd of elephants. The hippo had laid claim to the patch, and in spite of all the persuasion the matriarch elephant could muster, it wouldn't be dislodged.
The two contestants ultimately pretended to ignore each other, and the pachyderms made the best of whatever slime they could appropriate.
I reluctantly left Zambia, promising myself to return. And so I did, the following year. My main destination was the Zambezi River this time, but I couldn't resist starting my visit with detour via the South Luangwa National Park.
Nkwali
Nkwali offers a spectacular view of the park and the river.
I opted to stay in the Game Management Area this time, immediately across the river from the South Luangwa National Park. Discretely tucked into a grove of soaring ebony trees on a prime vantage point of the eastern bank of the Luangwa River, Nkwali coupled the casual atmosphere and intimate proximity to wildlife that only a bush camp can offer with the indulgent amenities of a boutique safari lodge. Its six guest chalets and lounge area offered a spectacular view of the steep far bank of the river and the acacia forest that constituted the boundary of the park.
The private pontoon is an picturesque way to access the park.
For all its superb isolation, Nkwali was less than an hour away from Mfuwe Airport. Access to the park was either via a colorful hand-cranked pontoon near the camp or across the Mfuwe Bridge, 10 kilometers away. Game activity was intense in the Game Management Area as in the park itself, and the the pontoon crossing gave us the unique opportunity to witness at close range the sudden eruption of a domestic argument within a pod of hippos floating nearby.
First close range sighting of a leopard!
The splendid cat indulged me with a photo opportunity.
It was exciting to reconnect with all the familiar wildlife of the bush but the most exhilarating moment came when we began tracking a leopard. I had casually mentioned to my guide, Joseph, that on my previous visit I had only managed a night-time glance at one, and I that I was hoping to get a proper look this time. He made it a matter of professional pride to grant me my wish. Locating the elusive feline took cooperative efforts of Joseph and one of his colleagues. They engaged in an extensive radio dialog to direct us to the appropriate location. They were assisted by the terrorized screeches of a troop of baboons who had apparently just lost one of their own to the feline.
Then suddenly there he was, glaring defiantly at us through a jumble of grass, a magnificent adult male, his spotted coat still showing tell-tale red shadows. He seemed to weigh its options for a while, before strutting nonchalantly out of the brush and across the clearing, and fading once again into the high grass. Definitely the ultimate memory of my visit to Nkwali!
From my chalet at Nkwali, I spent a blissful siesta time watching a herd of elephants wade their way out of the park, across the Luangwa River.
Getting there—Because of its remote location, the South Luangwa National Par is not as readily accessible from North America and Europe as other better known southern Africa safari destinations. This isolation naturally limits the number of visitors, which enhances the authentic bush experience.
Staying there—Chamilandu, Chindeni, Kuyenda and the Mfuwe Lodge are properties of The Bushcamp Company. Kuyenda and Chamilandu are open June to November, Chindeni is open May to December and the Mfuwe Lodge is open year-round. Nkwali is a Robin Pope Safaris property. It is opened year-round
A view from the pontoon – A bloat of hippos sunning themselves on the bank of the river.
Mfuwe, Zambia
Mythical Marrakech – The Majorelle Garden
28 February 2020 | Africa, Morocco, Places | 2 comments
It took French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) four decades of dedication to create the enchanting botanical wonder now known as the Majorelle Garden at the edge of the "Ochre City" of Marrakech.
The vision of Jacques Majorelle
The Garden Majorelle is home to a unique collection of cacti.
When aspiring French painter Jacques Majorelle was sent to Morocco in 1917 to convalesce from a serious medical condition, he promptly fell in love with Marrakech. Fascinated with the vibrant colors and the picturesque street life of the city, he eventually decided to settle permanently there. In the early 1920's he purchased a plot of land in a palm grove at the edge of the city, Over time, he gradually expanded the property to four hectares (10 acres), and commissioned a French architect to design a cubist villa on the site, near his original Moroccan-style house.
A variety of colorful water basins dot the garden.
An ardent amateur botanist, as well as by now an established Orientalist painter, Majorelle de- voted himself to creating the luxuriant exotic garden which would become his most dazzling work. Over the next four decades, the fame of Majorelle's garden grew to the point of surpassing that of his paintings.
Splashes of Majorelle blue enhance the exhuberant landscape.
But the glory of the Majorelle Garden is not just about its exuberant landscaping that brings together plants from around the world, or its water basins and lily pond, but that it is also home to a unique color. Throughout the property, walls and architectural elements are painted in a distinct blue so unique that the color has become trademarked under the name of Majorelle blue. Although this intense blue has gone on to inspire artists and designers around the world, nothing beats experiencing it in the place of its genesis.
The Inspiration of Yves Saint Laurent
Yves Saint-Laurent fell in love with the garden's vibrant colors.
By the time of Majorelle's death the garden had fallen into disrepair and would ultimately have disappeared, but for French fashion icon Yves Saint-Laurent and his life-long companion and business partner, Pierre Bergé. On their first visit to Marrakech in 1966 they discovered the now deserted garden and fell in love with "this oasis where colors used by Matisse were mixed with those of nature." (Pierre Bergé, 2014, Yves Saint Laurent, a Moroccan Passion), They visited frequently, and the garden became a source of inspiration for Saint-Laurent's couture collections.
Saint-Laurent restored the original garden and villas.
Then in 1980, they learned that the Jardin Majorelle was threatened by a real-estate development project. To rescue it from demolition, they decided to acquire it and set about restoring it. Committed to maintain the original vision of Jacques Majorelle, Saint-Laurent and Bergé oversaw a restoration project that not only revived the garden but expanded upon it. Automatic irrigation systems were installed; a team of 20 gardeners was put in place, and the number of plant species was increased from 135 to 300. Today, the colorful water basins and fountains are nestled within a dense fabric of mixed trees, flowers, and shrubs that fill the majority of the site.
When Saint-Laurent died in 2008, his ashes were scattered in the rose garden at Jardin Majorelle. Two years later, the street in front of the garden was renamed in his honor. In 2010, ownership of the property passed to the Foundation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent, a French not-for-profit organization.
Homage to the Berber Culture
Jewelry is an especially important sign of Berber tribal identity.
In 2011, the Berber Museum was inaugurated on the bottom floor of the villa, which was once Jacques Majorelle's atelier. This small but remarkably well curated museum offers a rich overview of the creativity of the Berber people, the most ancient in North Africa.
More than 600 objects from the Rif mountains to the Sahara desert, collected by Bergé and Saint Laurent, demonstrate the richness and diversity of this still-vibrant culture. Everyday and ceremonial objects attest to the know-how, both material and immaterial, found in the Berber culture. The collection reflects all the elements of Berber identity, including tribal costumes, weapons, weaving, carpets, decorated doors and musical instruments. Jewelry, an especially important sign of the social status of the woman wearing it, plays a central role in the collection.
The Saint-Laurent Legacy
The entrance of the recently opened Yves Saint-Laurent Museum.
Just a stone throw away from the Majorelle Garden, the Museum Yves Saint-Laurent Marrakech opened its doors in October 2017. Designed by the French architectural firm KO, the 4000 square meter (4300 square foot) the building consists of cubic shapes of terra-cotta bricks, con- crete and earthen-colored terrazzo that blend harmoniously with their surrounding. Arranged around a central atrium open to the sky as befits a traditional Moroccan home, the museum, in addition to a 400 square meter (4300 square foot) permanent exhibition space showcasing Yves Saint-Laurent's creation, includes temporary exhibition space, a 130-seat auditorium, an elegant gift shop and a restaurant opened onto its own terrace.
The museum features an exquisite boutique.
As in its sister-museum in Paris, the permanent exhibit traces the development of Saint-Laurent's unique style over the four decades during which his iconic designs revolutionized 20th century fashion. His pea coats, trench coats, tuxedos, pantsuits and safari jackets that became an integral part of women's everyday wardrobes are all represented here, as well as his sublime evening dresses with their many artistic references. Overall a vivid reminder that Yves Saint-Laurent was the last of the grand couturiers that dominated the extraordinary post-World-War-Two epoch of French haute couture.
The Majorelle Garden, Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Gueliz, Marrakech, is located just a 20 minute walk or a five minute taxi ride from the Medina. NOTE — the garden and related museums are now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Marrakech. Unless you are prepared to face hours-long lines at the box office, it is imperative to reserve your tickets well ahead through the Majorelle Foundation official ticket site . Plan at least one month ahead, more if possible, to secure combined tickets for the garden and museums for the date and time of your choice. The website is slow and rather clumsy, but with a bit a patience and determination, you shouldl be able get the desired results.
The Garden is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm from October 1 to April 30, 8.00 am to 6:00 pm from May 1 to September 30 and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm the month of Ramadan. However, both the Berber and Yves Saint-Laurent museums are closed on Wednesday.
Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech
Mythical Marrakech – The Great Palaces of the Medina
Marrakech was in turn the capital of both the Almoravid (1056 to 1147) and Saadi (1509 to 1659) dynasties. While we owe the very existence of the city to the Almoravid rulers, very few actual structures remain of their legacy. The Saadian, on the other hand, left us one of the most unique architectural treasures in the city: an opulent palace for the dead.
The Saadian Tombs
The older eastern mausoleum (right) was built against the outer walls of the Kasbah Mosque.
The final resting place of the Saadi dynasty is a vast necropolis housing over 200 tombs spread throughout a shaded flower garden anchored by two major mausoleums.
At the eastern end of the site, the oldest mausoleum adjoins the southern wall of the ancient Kasbah Mosque (circa 12th century A.D.). It was built between 1557 and 1574 by the second Saadi sultan, Moulay Abdallah al-Ghalib, to honor his father Muhammad al-Sheikh, the founder of the dynasty, who was killed in 1557. Abdallah himself was later buried next to his father in 1574, as were his two successors.
Archway to the tomb of Lalla Mas'uda.
However, what makes the Saadian Tombs one of the most visited monuments in Marrakech is the western side of the necropolis, build by the last of the dynasty's ruler's Sultan Ahmed al Mansour Ed Dahbi (1578–1603.). He first commissioned the mausoleum of his father Muhammad al-Sheik and his mother, the concubine Lalla Mas'uda, and then later on his own after-life palace.
Crowds file by the entrance to the tombs of Muhammad al-Sheikh and Lalla Mas'uda.
Muqarnas archway entrance to the Chamber of the Twelve Columns.
He spared no expense, especially for the latter, importing Italian Carrara marble and gilding honeycomb muqarnas(decorative plasterwork) with pure gold to make the Chamber of 12 Pillars a suitably glorious mausoleum. And he applied a definite pecking order even in death, keeping major princes close by in the Chamber of Three Niches while relegating to garden plots some 150 chancellors and members of the royal household.
While al Mansour died in splendor in 1603, a few decades later the Alaouite dynasty succeeded the Saadian, and the new ruler, Sultan Moulay Ismail was eager to remove all traces of the former ruling family. He ordered the necropolis sealed, leaving only one concealed entrance, a small passageway through the wall from the adjoining Kasbah Mosque. And the Saadian Tombs faded from public awareness until they were "re-discovered" by the French in 1917. The site was subsequently restored to its original frandeur and opened to visitors who now descend upon it in droves.
El Badi Palace
Storks stand guard over the ruins of el Badi Palace.
Another of al Mansur's grand commissions, el Badi Palace didn't fare so well. The immense complex that once boasted 360 rooms now stands as a magnificent ruin. The first thing that catches visitors' attention when entering what remains of the palace is not that its design was influenced by the Alhambra in Granada, but rather the number of storks nesting on top of its ramparts.
El Badi Palace remains an imposing ruin.
Paved in gold and turquoise tiles and decorated throughout with Italian marble during the reign of al Mansur, el Badi was at the time the most impressive palace in the western reaches of the Muslim world. But in 1690, Sultan Moulay Ismael stripped it bare to adorn his own palace in Meknes, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Marrakech. Today, the vast courtyard with its four sunken gardens and reflecting pools can only hint at its former majesty. Although now a mere shell, el Badi still overwhelms with its massive proportions. And steep stairways still lead to the top of the ramparts, offering unique views of the roofs and towers of the Medina and the Atlas mountains.
The Bahia Palace
The Bahia remains unique for its specacular courtyards.
When Si Moussa, the powerful Grand Vizier of Sultan Hassan I, built the Bahia in the 1860's, he envisioned the grandest palace of its time. A lofty goal that only came close to fruition with Si Moussa's son, Ahmed ben Moussa (a.k.a. Ba Ahmed) who rose to even higher prominence than his father, serving as Grand Vizier and regent of Morocco during the reign of the child Sultan Abd al-Aziz.
The Bahai Palace is a maze of harmonious interial passages.
Ba Ahmed expanded upon the existing palace, bringing in a renowned architect and some of the finest craftsmen in the country to create a lavishly decorated 160-room palace to house his four wives and 24 concubines. Spread across some height hectares (20 acres), of landscaped gardens and lofty courtyards, the complex still still impresses with its magnificent decor, and is considered one of the finest examples of Moorish-Andalusian architecture in Morocco.
The Bahia Palace has retained its elaborate interior fittings,
After Ba Ahmed's his death in 1900, however, the palace was looted en masse. His concubines swiftly took their share before Sultan Abd al-Aziz (the former child Sultan) carted off all the remaining furnitures and removable contents to his own palace. However, by looting standards, it was all fairly restrained, and the buildings themselves were undamaged. Although the royal family still occasionally uses the Bahia for official occasions, most of it is now open to visitors. The public rooms remain empty, which only allows the splendor of the palace to come through all the more.
Dar Si Said
Dar Si Said features a lovely internal garden.
Located just north of the Bahia Palace, Dar Si Said, also now known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts, was formerly the residence of Ba Ahmed's brother Sisi Said, The collection of the museum is considered one of the finest in Morocco. It includes jewelry from the High Atlas, the Anti Atlas and the extreme south; carpets from the Haouz and the High Atlas; oil lamps from Taroudant; blue pottery from Safi and green pottery from Tamgroute and leatherwork from Marrakesh.
Thr painted ceilings are some of the best in the city.
The lovely central garden is laid out in classic Moroccan styel, and the carved and painted ceilings on the top floor are considered the finest example of painted ceilings in the city. The museum also features some fine wooden screens and frames recovered from the Bahia palace.
The sprawling el Badi complex has retained its four sunken gardens.
Marrakech is located in central Morroco, in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and a few hours away from the edge of the Sahara desert.
Getting there — Marrakech has a modern, well organized international airport with direct scheduled flights from Paris, London, and a number of other major European cities, as well as Casablanca, Morocco's largest city. The airport is located about six kilometers (4 miles) from the medina, and taxis are readily available throughout the day – but it is prudent to clearly set the fare with the driver before getting into the cab. A better option is to arrange for a pre-paid pick up through your hotel or riad.
Getting around— there is only one way to fully explore the medina, and it's on foot
Visiting —The Saadian Tombs are open daily from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm. El Badi is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Bahia Palacei s open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Dar Si Saild is open daily Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm. Closed on Tuesday.
Medina, Marrakech
The Gem of Morocco – Mythical Marrakech
17 January 2020 | Africa, Morocco, Places | 3 comments
While the foothills of the Atlas Mountains in what is now central Morocco were inhabited by Berber farmers since Neolithic times, it was not until the 11th century A.D. that Marrakech began, first as little more than an oasis Kasbah (fortress) founded by the local Almoravid ruler. But it quickly prospered into the region's most important trading settlement for camel trains coming across the Sahara Desert from Timbuktu on their way to the coast with their precious cargos of gold, spices and ivory.
Jemaa el-Fnaa Square has been the hub of trade and entertainment since the 11th century.
The Medina (walled city) soon developed into a center of commerce and culture, and the imperial city of several successive ruling dynasties. A sprawling labyrinth of riads (traditional homes), and souks (covered artisan markets) spread in the shadow of its opulent palaces.
In recent decades, Marrakech has also gained the distinction of being the country's most popular tourist destination, with a million travelers flocking there each year. And it's easy to see why: with its centuries old fusion of Arabian, African and European influences, the gem of Morocco fascinates with its exotic allure.
Finding Your Riad
The Medina is a warren of narrow back alleys.
The best way to soak in the unique atmosphere of Marrakech and discover its historic and cultural treasures is to stay in the Medina. To this day, its ancient riads, the secluded, traditional houses built around inner courtyards, remain home to about 200,000 people, a fifth of the city's population. They also seem to host the same number of tourists. In recent decades, with over 800 riads restored to modern hospitality standards and now registered as guest residences, the word has become synonymous with boutique accommodation.
The terrace at Dar Habiba overlooks neighborhood terraces.
Most properties are small – just six to eight rooms, usually with an inviting rooftop terrace. Nearly all offer personalized service and an ideal way for tourists to get in touch with Moroccan culture. They are also very much in demand, so it is prudent to plan well ahead. One of the fun parts of planning this Marrakech escape was finding our riad. While it took several tries, we ended up with just the right one for us.
The House of Friends
Life at Riad Dar Habiba is centered around a serene patio.
Concealed behind a typically unassuming doorway at the corner of one of the many culs-de-sac of the quiet Mellah, the old Jewish Quarter originally created in the 16th century, Dar Habiba (Arabic for friend) was a serene retreat centered around a large patio, complete with white marble dipping pool, gurgling fountain, and an inviting bhou (lounging nook). Our upper-floor rooms opened onto a gallery overlooking the patio. Decorated in contemporary Moroccan style with pale plaster walls, Berber accent pieces and throw rugs on the terra-cotta floor, our rooms were a haven of tranquility just a short walk from all the chaos of the major attractions of the Medina.
Only donkey carts and motorcycle can make it beyond the entrance of the Medina.
But what turned our stay at Dar Habiba into a superb Marrakech experience was the unfailing attention of the staff to our every needs and comfort, which began even before we checked in. We had pre-arranged with them a transfer from the airport. However, cars can only get you as far as official drop-off points at the edge of the Medina. It's on foot after that through back alleys only wide enough for motorcycles and donkey carts, and with few discernible street addresses. Mercifully, a porter had been dispatched to meet our cab. He piled our luggage onto his hand cart and took off at a trot through the pandemonium, trusting us to keep up. Which we did, aware that he only had a clue as to where we were going.
At Dar Habiba, the bhou is our favorite gathering spot.
We reached Dar Habiba within minutes, a bit dazed and winded, to the warm welcome of Rashid, the onsite manager. We were immediately settled within the plump pillows of the bhou, and over glasses of freshly brewed mint tea, introduced to the details of life at the Riad and the bewildering city beyond its thick sheltering walls. After settling into our rooms at leisure, we reconvened at the bhou, which instantly became our favorite perch, for another round of mint tea. Then, pleasantly mellow and armed with very explicit directions from Rashid, we were ready to jump into the bedlam we'd only glimpsed at on the way in and head for the legendary main square, Jemaa-el-Fnaa.
Jemaa-el-Fnaa
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the pulsing heart of the Medina.
No one is sure of the precise meaning of the name Jemaa el-Fnaa, the vast triangular square at the entrance of the Medina. It could be "Place of the Vanished Mosque," or the favorite contender, "Assembly of the Dead," since justice was once meted out here, and heads of executed criminals were set on spikes as a warning to others. What is certain is that "La Place," as the legendary square is known to Marrakechis, has been the hub of trade and entertainment since 1050 AD, the frenzied best and worst of Marrakech.
Fresh-squeezed juice sellers are a constant feature.
It was afternoon when we reach it, the time when it was morphing from its daytime marketplace activities into its nigh life persona. The sellers of cheap trinkets were folding their blankets. The henna tattoo ladies were putting away their syringes and laminated folders of patterns. The herbalists touting potions to heal all ills and the itinerant dentists sitting on plastic chairs behind displays of dentures and saucers of the teeth they've successfully pulled were closing shop. The reedy whine of the snake charmer's flute was beginning to fade. Only the fruit carts were standing firm, still doing a brisk business of delicious, fresh-squeezed orange juice at a mere 10 Dirhams (one U.S. Dollar) a cup.
The spice market occupies a corner of Jemaa el-Fnaa.
Now, young men trundled across the square to set their up their portable kitchens, plank benches and trestle tables. Soon the smoke rose from hundreds of barbecues, and countless food stalls began doling out a steady stream of kebabs, filling the air with the mouth-watering aromas of this immense open-air eatery, while Gnawa (North African spiritual music) musicians, acrobats and fortune tellers entertained the crowds. We enjoyed the show for a while before drifting off. As frequent visitors to Africa, we have long learned to keep questionable street food out of our travel menu. We headed instead for the nearby Koutoubia Mosque.
Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is especially spectacular at dusk.
Towering 253 ft (77 meters) over the Jemma el-Fnaa, the Koutoubia Mosque is the most important in Marrakech and the unmistakable point of reference of the city. Built at the height of the Islamic Golden Age, is it exceptionally ornate. Originally completed during the Almovad Dynasty in the 12th century, it is the oldest and most complete structure remaining from this era. Designed in cooperation between Marrakechi and Andalusian architects, it is a prototypical monument of Moroccan-Andalusian architecture – and a twin of Seville's Girarlda. Like all mosques in Morocco, it is closed to non-muslims, but visitors are welcome to walk around its vast gardens.
A hearty Tajine dinner on the roof terrace is a delicious end to our first day in Marrakech.
Now that we has found our bearings, it was a mere at 15-minute stroll from here back to Dar Habiba, along the lively souk of Rue Riad Zitoun el Kdim. A table had been set for us on the rooftop terrace and our delicious pre-ordered lamb tagine (traditional dish slow-cooked in conical clay pot) meal with all the trimmings awaited. Afterward, we lingered long into the evening under the starry velvet sky, enjoying the view of the rooftops of the Medina in the moonlight, and the occasional strains of Gnawa drifting on the spice-scented night air.
Jemaa-el-Fnaa is the traditional hub of trade and entertainment in Marrakech.
Getting there – Marrakech has a modern, well organized international airport with direct scheduled flights from Paris, London, and a number of other major European cities, as well as Morroco's largest city of Casablanca. The airport is located about six kilometers (four miles) from the Medina, and taxis are readily available throughout the day – but make sure you clearly set the fare with the driver before you get in. A far better option is to arrange for a pre-paid pick up through your hotel or riad.
Getting around – the only one way explore the Medina is on foot. But beware of bicycles and scooters that zip around the narrow alleys as though they have been granted exclusive right of way. The surest way to get where you want to go is to ask direction from the person in charge at your riad. (n.b. Rashid gave excellent directions.) Still, expect to get occasionally lost while you meander through the confusing labyrinth of the Medina, constantly distracted by the bustle of Marrakech's everyday life. It's what you came to experience, so keep meandering and you will soon find your bearings again.
Staying – Dar Habiba is ideally located in the quiet Mellah neighborood, within a fifteen-minute walking radius of all the main Medina historic sites (La Place, the Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace, etc.) and a mere five minutes away from the souk of Rue Riad Zitoun el Kdim. We chose it for its location but will return at the first opportunity for the comfort of its accommodations and most of all its attentive personalize hospitality. Contact info : tel. +44 20 7570 0336 (or toll free from the US. + 1-800-845-0810), e-mail: Reservations.
Marrakech Medina


text:
Search St. Bonaventure University Search
World Languages and Cultural Studies
News, Publications & Research
Calabria gives presentation on Christian-Muslim relations
Fr. Michael Calabria, O.F.M., associate professor of Arab and Islamic studies and director of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies at St. Bonaventure University, gave a presentation for the Centro Pro Union in Rome, Italy, via Zoom on April 29.
The presentation was titled "The Art of Christian-Muslim Relations."
World Languages & Cultural Studies Minors
World Languages and Cultural Studies Faculty
Center for Arab & Islamic Studies

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: problemas para criar várias tabelas no Oracle Eu sou iniciante no uso do Oracle, usava o firebird antes. Gostaria de saber, o por que eu não consigo criar várias tabelas de uma única vez na planinha sql do SQLdeveloper. Ele cria apenas a primeira tabela (País).
Eu tento executar as seguintes instruções, para criar todas as tabelas de uma vez. (nesse caso estou utilizando apenas 3 tabelas para não ficar muito extenso).
CREATE TABLE PAIS
(
  IdPais INTEGER NOT NULL,
  NomePais VARCHAR(60) NOT NULL,
  SiglaPais VARCHAR(3) NOT NULL,
  StatusPais CHAR(1) NOT NULL
);

ALTER TABLE PAIS ADD
(
  CONSTRAINT PAIS PRIMARY KEY (IdPais)
);

CREATE SEQUENCE SEQ_ID_PAIS
MINVALUE 1
MAXVALUE 9999999999
START WITH 1
INCREMENT BY 1
NOCACHE
CYCLE;

CREATE OR REPLACE TRIGGER TRG_ID_PAIS BEFORE INSERT ON PAIS FOR EACH ROW BEGIN <<COLUMN_SEQUENCES>> BEGIN IF :NEW.IDPAIS IS NULL THEN SELECT SEQ_ID_PAIS.NEXTVAL INTO :NEW.IDPAIS FROM DUAL; END IF; END COLUMN_SEQUENCES; END;

CREATE TABLE ESTADO
(
  IdEstado INTEGER NOT NULL,
  IdPais INTEGER NOT NULL,
  NomeEstado VARCHAR(60)  NOT NULL,
  SiglaEstado VARCHAR(2)  NOT NULL,
  StatusEstado CHAR(1) NOT NULL
);

ALTER TABLE ESTADO ADD
(
  CONSTRAINT ESTADO PRIMARY KEY (IdEstado)
);

CREATE SEQUENCE SEQ_ID_ESTADO
MINVALUE 1
MAXVALUE 9999999999
START WITH 1
INCREMENT BY 1
NOCACHE
CYCLE;

CREATE OR REPLACE TRIGGER TRG_ID_ESTADO BEFORE INSERT ON ESTADO FOR EACH ROW BEGIN <<COLUMN_SEQUENCES>> BEGIN IF :NEW.IDESTADO IS NULL THEN SELECT SEQ_ID_ESTADO.NEXTVAL INTO :NEW.IDESTADO FROM DUAL; END IF; END COLUMN_SEQUENCES; END;

CREATE TABLE CIDADE
(
  IdCidade INTEGER NOT NULL,
  IdEstado INTEGER NOT NULL,
  NomeCidade VARCHAR(60)  NOT NULL,
  StatusCidade CHAR(1) NOT NULL
);

ALTER TABLE CIDADE ADD
(
  CONSTRAINT CIDADE PRIMARY KEY (IdCidade)
);

CREATE SEQUENCE SEQ_ID_CIDADE
MINVALUE 1
MAXVALUE 9999999999
START WITH 1
INCREMENT BY 1
NOCACHE
CYCLE;

CREATE OR REPLACE TRIGGER TRG_ID_CIDADE BEFORE INSERT ON CIDADE FOR EACH ROW BEGIN <<COLUMN_SEQUENCES>> BEGIN IF :NEW.IDCIDADE IS NULL THEN SELECT SEQ_ID_CIDADE.NEXTVAL INTO :NEW.IDCIDADE FROM DUAL; END IF; END COLUMN_SEQUENCES; END;

A: Não me recordo se o Oracle Database permite que mais de um objeto tenha o mesmo nome. No script que postou, a chave primária de cada tabela está com o mesmo nome da tabela.
Você pode definir a chave primária de várias formas:
--código #2
CREATE TABLE PAIS
(
  IdPais INTEGER NOT NULL,
  NomePais VARCHAR2(60) NOT NULL,
  SiglaPais VARCHAR2(3) NOT NULL,
  StatusPais CHAR(1) NOT NULL,
  constraint pkPAIS primary key (IdPais)
);
/

ou ainda
-- código #3
CREATE TABLE PAIS
(
  IdPais INTEGER NOT NULL,
  NomePais VARCHAR2(60) NOT NULL,
  SiglaPais VARCHAR2(3) NOT NULL,
  StatusPais CHAR(1) NOT NULL
);
/
ALTER TABLE PAIS
  ADD pkPAIS primary key (IdPais);
/

Se não for necessário nomear a restrição, também pode utilizar esta forma:
-- código #1
CREATE TABLE PAIS
(
  IdPais INTEGER NOT NULL primary key,
  NomePais VARCHAR2(60) NOT NULL,
  SiglaPais VARCHAR2(3) NOT NULL,
  StatusPais CHAR(1) NOT NULL
);
/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
the PILLAR of SANITY
TAKE A WALK w/ PINK
TRUTH EMERGENCY USA
DAHR JAMAIL IRAQ
SIBEL EDMONDS TAKES ON
the 911 SOLUTION
9/11 HOAX RIPPLE EFFECT
EVICT the SQUATTERS
OBAMA'S FEET of CLAY
INST. for PUBLIC ACCURACY
the SCOOP: COUPS I & II
FORGET, HELL! COUP 2000
NEWSCORPSE
CYRANO'S JOURNAL
IRAQ MORATORIUM DAYS
FIRE DOG LAKE
PEACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
THE FREEWAY BLOGGER
9/11 NO "MYSTERY"
SOURCE WATCH: WHO PAID
BRASS BALLS TV
ARTHUR SILBER
PROGRESSIVE BEACON
CULTURE JAM SNIGGLE
DRUG WAR FACTS
URUKNET: INSIDE IRAQ
PEACE & JUSTICE FOR ALL
OP ED NEWS
OLBERMANN'S NEWS HOLE
OBAMA: MYTH vs. REALITY
PENSITO PENSITORE
FAIR & ACCURATE
the COST of WAR
NATIONAL PRIORITIES
ROB PAYNE
THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING
CROOKS & LIARS
INFO CLEARINGHOUSE
the DAILY JON STEWART
BUSH FLASH
EXISTENTIAL COWBOY
KHALIL BENDIB
STRIKE THE ROOT
BUSH WATCH
the FKN NEWS
GNN: GUERILLA NEWS
LIFE AFTER OIL
POYNTER: ROMENESKO
MIKE MALLOY
REGRESSIVE ANTIDOTE
CORPWATCH
SKIPPY KNOWS NUTS
the GUN GUYS
ELECTRONIC FRONTIER
WHO DIES WHO PROFITS
HOLY SHITS
ANTI-BUSH LIBRARY
LET FELONIES BE BYGONES!
Obama told journalist Will Bunch. "...if crimes have been committed, they should be investigated." [EdNote: Isn't that a rather strange thing for an attorney to say? Shouldn't it be, "if crimes have been committed, they should be prosecuted?" Of course it should. Obama's words were "political shorthand" for, "if crimes have been committed, they should (though probably won't) be investigated -- but not prosecuted." I voted for Cynthia McKinney (and still felt dirty, merely for participating in the Grand Charade).]
However, the Illinois senator left himself an out, suggesting he would weigh evidence of Bush's guilt against the potential political fallout from prosecuting a former President. "I would not want my first term consumed by what was perceived on the part of Republicans as a partisan witch hunt because I think we've got too many problems we've got to solve, so this is an area where I would want to exercise judgment – I would want to find out directly from my Attorney General – having pursued, having looked at what's out there right now – are there possibilities of genuine crimes as opposed to really bad policies." [Get the picture? Yes, we see.] FULL ARTICLE HERE
CLICK HERE to Say It Loud & Wear It Proud: I HATED BUSH BEFORE HATING BUSH WAS COOL!
They ravage, they slaughter, they seize by false pretenses, and when in their wake nothing remains but a desert, they call that peace. MORE...
OBAMA IS A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: As for the question of war, those looking to the Obama campaign as a means of ending American militarism will be sorely disappointed. The Illinois Senator has vowed not to reduce the ballooning US military budget — which consumes an estimated $700 billion annually — but rather to increase it. He has called for the recruitment of another 65,000 soldiers for the Army as well as 27,000 more Marines. He has vowed to put "more boots on the ground" in the "war on terror," the pretext invented by the Bush administration to justify "preemptive war," i.e., military aggression aimed at asserting US hegemony over the oil-rich regions of the Middle East and Central Asia.
Obama's promises to end the war are belied by his pledge to keep American forces in Iraq to defend "US interests" and conduct "counterterrorism operations," a formula that would see tens of thousands of US soldiers and Marines continuing to occupy Iraq and repress its population for many years to come. Should he capture the White House in November, he will head an administration committed to defending the interests of the American oligarchy both at home and abroad. MORE...
Now, if I understand this right, the US military is appalled and disturbed because some Iraqi insurgent groups (that may or may not have anything to do with Al Qaida in Iraq) are using videos to propagandize among adolescents in the hope that they will enlist. Meanwhile, the US military, which is engaged in the same type of operations as the Iraqi insurgency only as the occupying force, glorifies its mission of bloodshed, intimidation, and killing in videos, video games, in schools, on the television, at shopping malls and through the mails. MORE...
STEALING 2008: If anything should remain part of the public commons, it is voting. Yet as we have progressed through a series of new voting methods, control of our voting systems, and even our understanding of how they work, has come under new ownership. "It's a shell game, with money, companies and corporate brands switching in a blur of buy-outs and bogus fronts. It's a sinkhole, where mobbed-up operators, paid-off public servants, crazed Christian fascists, CIA shadow-jobbers, war-pimping arms dealers — and presidential family members — lie down together in the slime. It's a hacker's dream, with pork-funded, half-finished, secretly-programmed computer systems installed without basic security standards by politically-partisan private firms, and protected by law from public scrutiny."
GEORGE McGOVERN: IMPEACH BUSH & CHENEY! Nixon Was Bad. These Guys Are Worse. Bush and Cheney are clearly guilty of numerous impeachable offenses. They have repeatedly violated the Constitution. They have transgressed national and international law. They have lied to the American people time after time. Their conduct and their barbaric policies have reduced our beloved country to a historic low in the eyes of people around the world. These are truly "high crimes and misdemeanors," to use the constitutional standard.
JOHN DEAN: IMPEACH CHENEY! There is a well-organized and growing movement to impeach resident Bush and/or vice resident Cheney. On my bookshelf sit half a dozen books making the case for Bush's impeachment. I myself have no doubt that Bush has, in fact, committed impeachable offenses, and that for each Bush "high crime and misdemeanor," Cheney's culpability is ten or twenty times greater.
SIBEL EDMONDS, AMERICAN HERO: Operating invisibly under the radar of media and public scrutiny, lobby groups and foreign agents have become the epicenter of our government, where former statesmen and dime a dozen generals cash in on their connections and peddle their enormous influence to the highest bidders turned clients. These groups' activities shape our nation's policies and determine the direction of the flow of its taxpayer driven wealth, while the interests of the majority are considered irrelevant, and the security of the nation is perceived as inconsequential.
April 24, 2007, U.S. House Representative Dennis Kucinich introduced H.Res. 333, calling for articles of impeachment to be sent to the U.S Senate with regards to Vice President Richard B. Cheney. The resolution, articles of impeachment, and supporting references can be found at http://kucinich.house.gov/spotlightissues/documents.htm
"Impeachment is the cure for a constitutional crisis. Don't mistake the medicine for the disease. When you have a constitutional crisis, the founders are very clear. They said there is a way to deal with this. We don't have to have a war. We don't have to raise an army and go to Washington. We have procedures in place where we can sanction a president appropriately, do what needs to be done up to the point of removing him from office and continue the republic." - John Nichols to Bill Moyers
Arthur Silber Explains Iraq
So to Kos and everyone else who mouths the same empty platitudes, the identical fundamentally false and thoroughly conventional phrases that spring from a perspective drenched in "American exceptionalism," which views the United States as the highest possible point of human development and Americans as uniquely good and virtuous in the entire span of history, and which reduces all other peoples to fifth-rate bit players in an increasingly desperate global drama, I have this to say:
THIS IS NOT PRIMARILY, OR MOST IMPORTANTLY, OR IN ANY SIGNIFICANT WAY ABOUT THE MISERABLE, REPELLENT CALCULATIONS OF DOMESTIC POLITICS, OR ABOUT YOU OR ABOUT US, YOU NEUROTICALLY SELF-ABSORBED, IGNORANT DUMB FUCKS.
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Don't Wait for Congress!
THE PROJECT NORTHWOODS FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM. 911 Ripple Effect champions a very powerful message backed by expert examination of video evidence and packaged in an imaginative and captivating production that will keep you on the edge of your seats. An absolute must see! CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ENTIRE MOVIE...
SECRETS CANNOT BE KEPT FOREVER. 9-11Mysteries: World Trade Center Demolitions Exposed. This is one of the latest and best documented sources of information about the intentional demolitions on "9/11." CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MOVIE, FOLLOW THE MONEY & SEE THE LIGHT...
"The truth which sets men free is, unfortunately, the truth which men prefer not to hear." -- Agar
THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON TESTOSTERONE
CLICK NOW NOW NOW TO READ THIS BOOK for FREE
THEN TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO READ IT NOW NOW NOW. THEN BUY IT AND READ IT AGAIN
THEN GIVE COPIES TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. NOW NOW NOW -- GO! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
GOD DIDN'T GET US INTO THIS MESS & GOD WON'T GET US OUT. READ THE FUCKING BOOK! STOP PRETENDING SOME GOD-FORSAKEN SHAM of an "ELECTION" IS GOING TO MAKE ONE SINGLE, SOLITARY WHIT of DIFFERENCE. STOP WAITING FOR SPINELESS DEMOCRATS. STOP BELIEVING IN FAIRY TALES SUCH AS "OPPOSITION PARTY." STOP SPINNING YOUR WHEELS for the COLLABORATORS of the DNC and MOVEON. STOP LYING to YOURSELF ABOUT "2008," and TAKE ACTION NOW NOW NOW!
CLICK HERE for the ADDICTED TO WAR blog
Arthur Silber Explains Iraq:
2008: DEPENDS! WHAT DID YOU DO IN 2007? FIRE THE ENTIRE BUSH ADMINISTRATION & BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS -- NOW! NOW! NOW! IMPEACHBUSH.ORG
NONE DARE CALL IT TREASON by Vincent Bugliosi: In the December 12 ruling by the US Supreme Court handing the election to George Bush, the Court committed the unpardonable sin of being a knowing surrogate for the Republican Party instead of being an impartial arbiter of the law. If you doubt this, try to imagine Al Gore's and George Bush's roles being reversed and ask yourself if you can conceive of Justice Antonin Scalia and his four conservative brethren issuing an emergency order on December 9 stopping the counting of ballots (at a time when Gore's lead had shrunk to 154 votes) on the grounds that if it continued, Gore could suffer "irreparable harm," and then subsequently, on December 12, bequeathing the election to Gore on equal protection grounds. If you can, then I suppose you can also imagine seeing a man jumping away from his own shadow, Frenchmen no longer drinking wine.
2006: RELAX! WE THE PEOPLE LOST ALL CREDIBILITY IN 2000!
From the beginning, Bush desperately sought, as it were, to prevent the opening of the door, the looking into the box--unmistakable signs that he feared the truth. In a nation that prides itself on openness, instead of the Supreme Court doing everything within its power to find a legal way to open the door and box, they did the precise opposite in grasping, stretching and searching mightily for a way, any way at all, to aid their choice for President, Bush, in the suppression of the truth, finally settling, in their judicial coup d'état, on the untenable argument that there was a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause--the Court asserting that because of the various standards of determining the voter's intent in the Florida counties, voters were treated unequally, since a vote disqualified in one county (the so-called undervotes, which the voting machines did not pick up) may have been counted in another county, and vice versa. Accordingly, the Court reversed the Florida Supreme Court's order that the undervotes be counted, effectively delivering the presidency to Bush.
2004 LOSES SOME OF ITS PUNCH: THE TIME BEFORE LAST, WHEN WE SAID "NEXT TIME" -- WE MEANT LAST TIME!
And if the Court's five-member majority was concerned not about Bush but the voters themselves, as they fervently claimed to be, then under what conceivable theory would they, in effect, tell these voters, "We're so concerned that some of you undervoters may lose your vote under the different Florida county standards that we're going to solve the problem by making sure that none of you undervoters have your votes counted"? Isn't this exactly what the Court did? The Court majority, after knowingly transforming the votes of 50 million Americans into nothing and throwing out all of the Florida undervotes (around 60,000), actually wrote that their ruling was intended to preserve "the fundamental right" to vote. This elevates audacity to symphonic and operatic levels. The Court went on to say, after stealing the election from the American people, "None are more conscious of the vital limits on its judicial authority than are the members of this Court, and none stand more in admiration of the Constitution's design to leave the selection of the President to the people." Can you imagine that? As they say, "It's enough to drive you to drink."
2002: LAST TIME, WHEN WE SAID "NEXT TIME" -- WE MEANT THIS TIME!
CLICK HERE FOR ENDLESS BUSH-RELATED CRAP THAT'LL MAKE YOU WANT TO PUKE
This is where we ended 2007...
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We have been aware this week that the lovely warm weather has accelerated growth in the gardens. The leaves on the trees, the flowers, the grass, everything has put on a spurt. This has meant, among other things, a lot more mowing recently. However, with the weather having been so glorious, there haven't been any complaints at all about being outside in the sunshine whilst mowing the lawns or tending the gardens!
I know, not the most glamorous pictures and not ones that are normally associated with weddings and wedding venues. However, this blog was conceived with the intention of giving an idea of what goes on 'behind the scenes' at Priston Mill so hence their inclusion here.
Currently we have sheep lambing in the field next to the Tythe Barn. They belong to Alan Dagger who has been grazing his sheep at Priston Mill Farm on and off for over 25 years now. However, its the first time I remember them being here over Easter. We already have, with the primroses and daffodils in full bloom, a lovely setting for the Easter weddings - the Spring lambs are a happy bonus.
The wedding season is getting busier by the week now, but in the top office we found time to have a few minutes out. We had a relaxing and enjoyable time away from the phones chatting over a delicious cream tea at Newton Farm Shop. It was great as Helen, who is off on maternity, was able to join us with baby Alice & Charlie. It wasn't surprising that a certain amount of baby talk crept into the conversation as Victoria was also there. She is expecting at the end of April and will be off work for a while. We wish her all the best and look forward to her coming back next year!
At weddings you don't need to spell it out that the key to wedded bliss is love - but it's a delightful idea! (detail above is from a recent wedding in the Watermill).


Just fill out the form below and mail it with your check for the non-refundable deposit of $238.17, made payable to Rotary District 6440, to Stan Sherman at the address listed on the form. The room rate is $209 plus tax per night. This includes full breakfast and evening reception daily. After confirmation, the balance is due 30 days before arrival.


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> Interview
Exclusive: Ponniyin Selvan: I costume designer Eka Lakhani on styling characters, working with Mani Ratnam
Costume designer and celebrity stylist Eka Lakhani gives us all the deets on what went behind the styling of each character in Ponniyin Selvan:I. Check it out!
Written by P R Gayathri | Updated on Oct 01, 2022 | 08:13 PM IST | 550.7K
The much-awaited movie of the year, Ponniyin Selvan: I, by cult-favourite director Mani Ratnam, has hit the screens. The reviews of the movie have been great and fans are loving the glorified version of Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan on the big screens. The historical fiction movie features an ensemble cast of Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sobhita Dhulipala and several other veteran actors.
Costume designer and celebrity stylist Eka Lakhani and her team have been the brains behind the extravagant and glorified looks of the characters. Teleporting us back to the 10th century in a form of storytelling with fashion, jewellery and makeup, Eka Lakhani has achieved her goal! In our exclusive tete-a-tete with Eka Lakhani, she shares her experience working on a large-scale project, her favourite looks and the whole effort in building a narrative for each character through fashion and styling.
1. Tell us your experience working for this star-studded historic film.
It was a beautiful experience for me, but it was also a nerve-wracking experience. The fact that it is a Mani Ratnam film, his dream project, and I was a part of it made me feel quite excited. Also, I started my journey with Mani sir on Ravan and Ravana with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Vikram and to be working with them again on a film which is as grand as this was thrilling and exciting.
2. As it's a movie based on a fictional novel by Kalki, in what ways did you seek inspiration to style each character?
This film is about the Chola Dynasty. A lot of the characters are people we know from our history. A lot of them are fictionalised by Kalki as well. The evidence of this era that we have are the visual evidence that comes from the Thanjavur temples or sculptures and all these pieces of evidence are there from the 12th century, whereas the movie that we did was from the 10th century. So while we have evidence and statues and temples and engravings on the walls of these temples, we still do not have a very visual description for them, but Kalki has given us a lot of details in terms of how each character looks. He has described each character very prominently in his books. At the same time, we also have Maniam's illustrations which show what hairstyles and jewellery were adorned by the princesses, the queens and the war scenes. So there was a lot of detail that we've gotten from these illustrations. We've kind of mixed that with the notes from the novel, and Mani sir's adjectives to define each character.
3. Kundavai and Nandini are two pivotal roles in the story with contrasting characters. What was your conceptualization while costume designing for each of these strong female roles?
Kundavai (played by Trisha Krishnan) is a born princess. She is royalty. Mani sir described her as someone who is courageous, strong and as a woman with a voice. She had to be authoritative, so we chose silhouettes that were very sculpted, with strong lines. The pleats were done well, and her blouse had pleated lines. Overall we kept her very proper to soften her look, we used softer colours with strong designs. Her hairstyle was such that it kept her standing tall. This helped us get that authoritative look we wanted. We adorned her with a lot of jewellery which she wore (body language wise) with such ease that it looked like a second skin on her. Since she was born into royalty, it had to look like it all came very naturally to her.
Nandini (played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) on the other hand, wasn't born royalty. She was an Andal girl and she later acquired royalty. She's beautiful and is aware of her mesmerising beauty and uses it to her advantage, to acquire Royalty. So when it came to her, we wanted a mystical look, every entry needed to be mesmerising and mysterious of sorts. We used deeper royal colours and black on her. Her jewellery was more pronounced as she had acquired royalty and wanted to show she was now on par or a step above. So we made sure our drapes and jewellery showed that. It was very interesting to dress both of them.
4. They say fashion tells a lot about one's personality. How have you made Nandini's complicated character speak loud with elements of fashion?
The silhouette, hairstyle, colours and jewellery were chosen to match the characteristics. We wanted her to own her beauty and own her acquired royalty. Aishwarya Ma'am has done period roles earlier, but this was the first time it was a south-based one, so we used the purest and finest Kanjivarams silks and South Indian jewellery to make the difference. Her signature hairstyle is also very different from that we have seen her wear in previous films.
5. Who were your personal favourite characters that you loved the most styling/designing for?
I have enjoyed dressing each of them. But Nandini and Adithya Karikalan have been my favourites.
6. You have worked with director Mani Ratnam several times before. How different was it this time considering the time period of the movie and the vast array of complicated characters?
Yes, I have worked several times with Mani sir and each time has been a very refreshing and new experience. For each movie, we begin with the references he gives. And it's so different from what I get when I'm working on other movies or with other directors. Mani sir speaks of references in terms of art. There are times when he's asked me to study Michelangelo's paintings for reference and for inspiration, sometimes I'm studying Rembrandt, so it's very different, like each time. The beginning of this journey also started with art. And this time around, it was the first physical visit in terms of a recce, when I had to go to Thanjavur and see the temples, study the sculptures and just embrace the world that we were going to dive into.
So this journey was very different from the other films right from the beginning. Also, this was the only film where the research was so heavy. He wanted me to understand the culture, understand the fabrics, understand what world we want to go into in terms of what Kalki's novel had, what Maniyam's illustrations had, what history has for the Cholas, and then what Mani sir's vision was. So I had to study all of this and then we put something forward.
7. We think costume designing for movies has a great impact and we have already hearted of the few looks that are out from PS- 1. What would you say are the key points you consider to make the costume resonate with a character's personality?
Any movie, be it period or be it a contemporary film, the job of a costume designer is not only to beautify artists. The job of a costume designer is to make the character come alive whether it is in the way of beautification by giving extensive glorified costumes and jewellery or whether it is downplaying in terms of the outfits and letting the character's personality shine.
What the film requires is what a costume designer needs to do. In Ponniyin Selvan, there are many characters and we had to ensure that we don't end up making each look like the other. So we've taken special care and made sure that everyone's personality types of the character shine brighter than the actor. And we kind of forget the actor for who they are or forget the actor for their body of work and remember them by the personality of the characters that they are playing.
8. Working in the artist space where your thoughts need to be driving into different directions in designing/styling for multiple characters yet bringing in unity as a film, how strenuous/fun can this process be?
Every time we work on a film, there are multiple ways to approach the film. It's the prep period which decides what zone you are going to go into. So, for me, the prep period is really, really important. That is when we form the language of the film. And this time, when I felt the multiple meetings and brainstorming sessions with different HODs of the film were really important, and Mani sir also believes in it.
We've had extensive brainstorming sessions and meetings with Ravi sir (Cinematographer) , Mani Sir (Director), Brinda Master (Dance Master), Me, our jewellery designer Pratiksha and so many others. And it's only when all of us agree and come to a common understanding or are on the same page in terms of the colour palette, the language of the film, and the textures to use is then we all go ahead and make it work in our own film. Even if one of us is not on the same page, you will be able to see the lag, and there will be something missing. Also, in a film like this, where there are so many actors and each of the characters has been given their own colour palette.
Vikram sir plays Adita Karikalan and his character is a little on the dark side, you know, a little aggressive and there is vengeance. And so for him, we have taken, you know, the deeper colours. You've gone with blacks and burgundies and purples and blues.
For Jayam Ravi's character. He's a king of the people. He's someone who's very kind, who is very loving. So we've taken a Buddhist influence in life. So we've taken softer colours for him like ivory and gold and off-whites and peaches and stuff like that. And the same goes for the other characters. For Nandani and for the Kundavi, we've given all of them a certain colour palette and with them, their whole lineage follows that colour palette: their handmaidens, their army, their security, the guards.
So on a film where you have such a large scale and so many people and often there are so many people in one frame, it's very important that even if they all have their own colours together, they don't look mismatched. So these were the bigger scenes where all of us have really come together, be it the song sequences or the war sequences, and we discuss in detail what the zone or what the colour palette of the film should be. We need to work as a team for it to look like it's all coming together.
9. What do you love the most about costume designing for films, especially for big-budget historic movies like PS-1 that really test one's skill?
I feel that my love for film is way bigger than my love for fashion or my love for costumes. It's because I love films, the process of filming, the larger picture that you get to see on the big screen so much that I have chosen this route in a way of my participation in a film. It is because of my love of film that I have, I am a costume designer today, and for me, costume designing gives me the most joy because I feel that I am, in my own way, being able to put something forward in the narrative. I'm able to add to the narrative. I'm able to do something to take the story forward, to help in characterization, to help in conveying a visual to what is written. And it's what I love the most about my job.
For more Fashion & Beauty updates, follow @pinkvillafashion
Also Read | Alia Bhatt to Deepika Padukone: 7 Celeb easy makeup inspirations that look a whole lotta festive
P R Gayathri
Gayathri PR is a Fashion Communication graduate from NIFT who likes to express her ardent love for all things beauty and... fashion through her words. From celebrity interviews to penning down honest reviews on skincare and makeup products, her 2 years of work experience have helped her stay upbeat with the trends. She believes in writing stories that awaken stories in others. Read more
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Arsenal submit bid for Juventus' Daniele Rugani Premier League club Arsenal have launched an offer for Juventus young center-back Daniele Rugani, according to CalcioMercato.
Premier League club Arsenal have launched an offer for Juventus young center-back Daniele Rugani, according to CalcioMercato.
The reports have revealed that Arsenal bid is around 14 million pounds and it is likely that the Serie A champions will accept it.
Rugani who is currently on loan at Empoli has been targeted by several top Premier League sides.
The 20-year-old played regular football last season, he started all the 38 Serie A games for Empoli last term.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly eyeing him as a long term replacement of Per Mertesacker as the German is expected to leave this summer.
However, the 20-year-old is not likely to become a regular from the start but he has the potential to become one the best defender.
The Italian side Juventus have no plans to sell him but now the reports claimed that the amount of money for the youngster would make their mind change.
14 million pounds is a big amount for the 20-year-old Italian but there is something special that Wenger has seen in him.
Arsenal have been linked with several of star players but still they are yet to seal their first summer deal.


We're eating this roasted chicken and vegetables. It's the easiest thing ever, Friends.
Line a turkey pan with foil. Put down cut veggies – I use potatoes, onions, and parsnips. (Sometimes The Hubster sneaks in carrots, but I'm not a fan.) Drizzle olive oil over the veggies and make sure it's all mixed over them.
Using the turkey rack upside down, put chicken thighs on the rack. Drizzle each thigh with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Bake for 25 minutes at 425*. Check to make sure everything looks good. (I once had some potatoes burn and moved them around to avoid further burning.) Continue to bake for 25 more minutes.
We usually top the chicken with pesto before we eat it. And it's delicious.
I love all my Fall decorations! It seems like each year we find something else to make it more fun.
We are still giggling to ourselves about the Gatsby fundraiser we went to last week. While I don't think the 20s were my era, it was still fund to pretend for a night!
We're heading to the World's Largest Disco (see what i'm looking forward to next month), and it's in Buffalo. In November. Which means it could be warm and sunny. Or a foot of snow.
And while I'm a proud product of Buffalo, this outfit in the snow, notsomuch.
Plus, a winter coat is totally going to ruin my look.
I'm too old to be going out without a coat, too. When I was 19, well, that was another story. #ineverworeacoatclubbing #youngandstupid But I like to think I've matured. And I don't like being cold. Or potentially get frostbite.
For some occasions, I would risk it. For the World's Largest Disco? I don't think so.
I'm working a fun Fall project that I hope to share with you soon!
How did I just notice that there's a new Nicholas Sparks book?!?! I'm not sure how long this has been out, but the second I realized it was available, I downloaded it.
I didn't start this book yet because I'm going to take it with me on our trip in a couple weeks. But eeeeeeee – I'm so excited to start it!
You guys – it's finally time!!! Hallmark Christmas movies!!!
I think this is going to be my new fall outfit! I am a huge fan of this look.
It's Halloween party time! Can't wait to share what our costumes are for this year's party.
I'm actually quite happy with ours this year. It was creative and I think will be fun!
The Hubster and I just bought our costumes for the World's Largest Disco Party the Saturday after Thanksgiving!


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O Menino Triste é uma personagem de banda desenhada criada por J. Mascarenhas em 2001.

O personagem é nascido em 1960, sob do signo de caranguejo, mas pensa que é um verdadeiro disparate as pessoas acharem que isso possa influenciar de algum modo as suas personalidades e vida. Ama a arte, desenhando desde miúdo e tendo particular paixão pela banda desenhada, pintura, cinema e livros. A beleza feminina é uma das suas maiores musas inspiradoras, juntamente com a própria vida. Quando criança não se queria tornar adulto, tentando a todo o custo perpetuar a sua infância, o que de certa forma conseguiu através da sua personalidade imaginativa e ingénua. A entrada na idade adulta foi algo que o marcou violentamente. Mantém certas crenças de criança, continuando a acreditar em fadas. Estudou engenharia na Universidade de Coimbra, tendo-se formado nos anos 1980. Adora a amizade e a sinceridade, detestando por outro lado a estupidez humana. Os seus gostos musicais passam pela música erudita, rock and roll, new wave, jazz, reggae e a chamada música independente. Gosta de intrumentos de cordas, particularmente de violinos e violoncelos. É pai de um rapaz. O legado humano que a sua geração lhe irá deixar é algo que o preocupa imensamente.

Estão publicados os livros " O Menino Triste" (2001) e "Os Livros" (2005), tendo recebido este o Prémio Nacional de Banda Desenhada (Fanzine) atribuído em 2006 pelo Festival Internacional de Banda Desenhada da Amadora/Centro Nacional de Banda Desenhada e Imagem Impressa. Foi publicado em 2008, pela Editora Qual Albatroz, o livro "A Essência" que aborda as questões da inspiração artística, ou a falta delas. Este livro foi nomeado para vários prémios de Banda Desenhada. Em 2011 é editado o livro "PUNK REDUX", que transmite as experiências do autor com o movimento punk, através do seu alter ego que é O Menino Triste, durante o final de 1976 em Londres. Neste livro, e em estilo de paródia, O Menino Triste é influente em vários rumos que o movimento Punk tomou, quer em termos estéticos quer musicais. Está de igual modo publicado em vários fanzines em Portugal e na Polónia, e em páginas web.

Trabalhos gráficos com O Menino Triste, têm estado patentes em exposições nacionais e internacionais, como foi o caso das Exposições de Homenagem a João Abel Manta, realizadas em Portugal e Espanha (Galiza) em 2008, e em vários Festivais de Banda Desenhada em Portugal e no estrangeiro.

O autor, J. Mascarenhas, está referenciado no Dicionário dos Autores de Banda Desenhada e Cartoon em Portugal (1999), da autoria de Leonardo De Sá.

Livros:
- O Menino Triste, Extractus, 2001
- Os Livros, Extractus, 2005
- A Essência, Qual Albatroz, 2008
- Punk Redux, Qual Albatroz, 2011

Outras Histórias:
- Micro... Macro, FunZip, Entropia, 2004
- O Sorriso, Tertúlia BDzine, 2006
- 7h00, 24H VOLTA A PORTUGAL EM BANDA DESENHADA, Dr. Makete, 2006
- Smutny Chłopiec, Ziniol #4, Varsóvia, 2009
- Smutny Chłopiec, Ziniol #5, Varsóvia, 2009

Dicionário dos Autores de Banda Desenhada e Cartoon em Portugal, Leonardo De Sá, A.Dias de Deus, Centro Nacional de Banda Desenhada e Imagem Impressa/Edições de Ouro, 1999.
Coimbra na Banda Desenhada, J.M. Lameiras, J.Paiva Boléo, J. Ramalho Santos, Edições ASA, ISBN: 9789724135410, 2004.
Festival Internacional de Banda Desenhada da Amadora 2005, Catálogo, Centro Nacional de Banda Desenhada e Imagem Impressa/Câmara Municipal da AMadora, 2005.
Formas de Pensar a BD – Entrevistas do BDesenhada.com, Nuno Pereira de Sousa, 2007
AmadoraBD 2012 - Catálogo (Texto de Pedro Moura)

Ligações externas

Personagens de banda desenhada
Banda desenhada de Portugal

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Researchers who used blueberry extract to boost the effects of radiation in cancer therapy have discovered the surprising thing: the anticancer activity of the blueberry was more effective than the radiation itself!
Nowadays, the busy life makes it harder for people to have a well-balance diet. With the hustle bustle at work and every other activities needed to be done in the day, there just so little time left to prepare for a fresh and healthy food. As a result, most people resort to a ready-made food which take fairly little time to be prepared.
Cabbage have amazing health benefits?
Cabbage has significant amounts of phosphorus, calcium, potassium and sulfur, iron, copper, zinc and magnesium.It is particularly rich in vitamin C, and vitamins A, B1, B2, and PP.
We're going to talk about a vegetable that has been dubbed The Small Wonder, but still fails to get its fair share of attention in the veggie world.
This ancient Ayurvedic dental technique is known as oil pulling or also as "gundusha" or "kavala" and involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in the mouth for 15-20 minutes, and it is very important to do this on an empty stomach.