FUN-travel: New 7 Wonders of the World Runner Up: La Alhambra – Granada, Spain
October 8, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: New 7 Wonders of the World Runner Up: La Alhambra – Granada, Spain
- The Alhambra is the last and greatest Moorish palace in Europe. The name Alhambra comes from an Arabic root which means “red or crimson castle” due to the hue of the towers
and walls that surround the entire hill of La Sabica which by starlight is silver but by sunlight is transformed into gold. The Alhambra was an “alcazaba” (fortress), an “alcázar” (palace) and a small “medina” (city), all in one. This triple character helps to explain many distinctive features of the monument.
- The alcazaba fortress, created originally for military purposes, was the first structure to be built dating to the 9th Century. It was followed by the alcázar Palacios Nazaries which is the jewel of Alhambra. This 13th century Moorish royal palace consists of carved wood ceilings, ceramic tiles, molded-plaster walls, stucco “stalactites” and filigree windows. It’s an incredibly impressive size with 9 different rooms and areas. The medina consisted of residences for members of the court. The Generalife Gardens were the Sultan’s summer palace with extensive vegetable and fruit gardens.
- The Alhambra became a Christian court in 1492 when the Catholic Monarchs (Ferdinand and Isabel) conquered the city of Granada. Later, various structures were built for prominent civilians, also military garrisons, a church and a Franciscan monastery. Charles V’s Palace featuring Renaissance architecture was built in the 15th Century.
- We stayed at the Parador de Granada San Francisco which was originally a Moorish palace and converted into a Franciscan monastery in the 14th century.
Generalife Gardens
- In the summer of 2007, more than 90 million people cast their votes to determine which architectural marvels in the world deserved to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. There were a total of twenty-one landmarks vying for that title.
- Of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, only the Great Pyramids in Giza, Egypt still stand. The pyramids were given an automatic spot after infuriated Egyptian officials said it was a disgrace to have to compete for something that had belonged to their country for so long. I agree! We saw them in 2007.
- It is our goal to see all twenty-one landmarks. Also, Chris and I have collectively seen a lot of the twenty-one, however, not together. So the rule is, we go back and see all of them together!
New 7 Wonders of the World we’ve been to:
- #1 Chichen Itza, Mexico – 2005
- #2 Great Wall of China – 2010
- #3 Machu Picchu, Peru – February, 2012
- #4 Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro – February, 2012
- #5 The Coliseum – Rome, Italy – August, 2012
New 7 Wonders of the World Runner Ups we’ve been to:
- #9 Statue of Liberty, New York – 2005
- #10 Sydney Opera House, Australia – 2005
- #11 Hagia Sophia, Istanbul – 2007
- #12 Acropolis, Athens – 2007
- #13 Angkor Wat, Cambodia – 2010
- #14 Eiffel Tower, Paris – 2010
- #15 Stonehenge, England – 2011
- #16 Alhambra, Spain – August, 2012
FUN-travel: New 7 Wonders of the World: #5 The Colosseum – Rome, Italy
October 4, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: New 7 Wonders of the World: #5 The Colosseum – Rome, Italy
#5 The Colosseum – Rome, Italy – August 3, 3012
- Rome was the last stop of our Mediterranean cruise this summer. (we had both been here before, but not together, so it didn’t count) The Roman Colosseum was commissioned in
AD 72 by Emperor Vespasian. It was completed by his son, Titus, in 80, with later improvements by Domitian. The 80 arched entrances allowed easy access to 55,000 spectators, who were seated according to rank. The Coliseum is huge, an ellipse 188m long and 156 wide. Originally 240 masts were attached to stone corbels on the 4th level.
- Roman gladiators were usually slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Most were men, but there were a few female gladiators. These combats were attended by the poor, the rich, and frequently the emperor himself. As gladiators fought, vicious cries and curses were heard from the audience around the Roman Colosseum. One contest after another was staged in the course of a single day. Should the ground become too soaked with blood, it was covered over with a fresh layer of sand and the performance went on. The gladiatorial games continued until Christianity progressively put an end to those parts of them which included the death of humans.
- In the summer of 2007, more than 90 million people cast their votes to determine which architectural marvels in the world deserved to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. There were a total of twenty-one landmarks vying for that title.
- Of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, only the Great Pyramids in Giza, Egypt still stand. The pyramids were given an automatic spot after infuriated Egyptian officials said it was a disgrace to have to compete for something that had belonged to their country for so long. I agree! We saw them in 2007.
- It is our goal to see all twenty-one landmarks. Also, Chris and I have collectively seen a lot of the twenty-one, however, not together. So the rule is, we go back and see all of them together!
New 7 Wonders of the World we’ve been to:
Chichen Itza
- #1 Chichen Itza, Mexico – 2005
- #2 Great Wall of China – 2010
- #3 Machu Picchu, Peru – 2012
- #4 Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 2012
New 7 Wonders of the World Runner Ups we’ve been to:
- #9 Statue of Liberty, New York – 2005
- #10 Sydney Opera House, Australia – 2005
- #11 Hagia Sophia, Istanbul – 2007
- #12 Acropolis, Athens – 2007
- #13 Angkor Wat, Cambodia – 2010
- #14 Eiffel Tower, Paris – 2010
- #15 Stonehenge, England – 2011
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #426: Idiom
October 3, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #426: Idiom
Idiom – an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up. For example, raining cats and dogs.
Have you ever had someone make up stories so they would make you look bad in the eyes of others? When someone insults you are you able to stay calm and not take it personal? When you have been “wronged” do you feel a need to seek revenge or carry the anger?
My dear sweet husband Chris has always said to me “Be the Bigger Person” whenever I was upset because I felt “wronged” in some way. So I looked it up and this is what it means – being mature; non reactive to insults and/or attacks by a vindictive person. 
Then I found these other idioms that I thought applied as well.
“Turn the Other Cheek” – to decide not to do anything to hurt someone who has hurt you.
“Bear a Grudge” – to continue to feel angry or not friendly towards someone who has done something to upset you in the past.
When you read these idioms what comes up for you? Can you remember the last time you were “wronged?” What was your reaction? What I have learned is the only one who suffers is the one who continues to carry and harbor the ill will of “the wrong.” Life is too short! (and I know Karma will take care of it eventually) You also have the choice of deciding to keep or eliminate those people from your life.
This week’s focus is on the idiom that most hits home with you. Do you have a tendency to “Bear a Grudge” and stay angry? Have you been able to “Turn the Other Cheek” when someone has hurt you? Have you ever been the “Bigger Person?” If you answered yes to any of these my question is, “How did that make you feel?”
Reader Responses
“This WOW was right on time. I’ve been going through so much recently with my employees I was thinking about ways I could get them back for causing me grief. You may call it the “Word of the Week” but I believe God spoke through you to me; so now I will forgive those who have wronged me and pray for them. Thank you.” – Mona
“Good one Sooz. Chris is right. We need to all try to “Be the bigger person.” Love ya, mean it” – Elaine
“We are always taught to turn the other cheek, but we all know how difficult it can be sometimes. I find it important to consider the source of the insults. In many instances, these people have insecurities and idiosyncrasies they have not dealt with in their lives and take out their own anger on others. It is not fair, but I see it every day in the workplace. I see it especially with managers who are put in charge of others but don’t have the skills to deal well with people. Mostly because they don’t have the experience. I have dealt with managers whose job is their life. Their home lives are nothing to write home about (sorry about the pun), and wind up being very domineering of others in the workplace. It is not fun to watch. I am a big believer in karma, and that what goes around does indeed come around. And when karma hits, it is how those people respond. Some will honestly take a long look into the mirror and attempt to change their ways, while others will simply blame it on someone or something else. As we all know, resentments are a killer. Carrying them around allows other people to live inside our heads. If and when we ever get the opportunity to get even, then everything will be alright. But getting even is wasted energy that does not allow us to move forward with our lives. Reliving slights, real and imagined, does not allow us to live in the present moment; it just keeps us in the past. It reminds me of a quote from Jill Uris’s book about Ireland entitled “A Terrible Beauty.” There is a quote somewhere in the book that says, “There is no future in Ireland. It is just the past happening over and over again.” If we give in to our resentments, we will fall into that insanity trap. It is no way to live. Great word, Susan. But I tend to use the word colloquial. Have a great weekend.” – “Warrior” Jo