Muddy water taking back the land

It is very saddening to watch the news of the floods in Australia. While other people celebrated the new year around the world, residents of Queensland were left homeless in one of the worst disasters in Australian history. It’s been weeks now and it’s still not over, with more rains hitting the region. My heart goes out to all the victims of this – or any other – terrible natural disaster of which there are so many these days. Maybe they are the acts of God, but we are all responsible at least a little bit.

In the video images of the floods that stroke the city of Genova in the 70s.

Nick Cave: Muddy water

“Mary, grab the baby, the river’s rising
Muddy water taking back the land
The old-frame house, she can’t take-a one more beating
Ain’t no use to stay and make a stand

Well the morning light shows water in the valley
Daddy’s grave just went below the line
Things to say, you just can’t take em with ya
This flood will swallow all you’ve left behind

Won’t be back to start all over
Cause what I felt before is gone

Mary, take the child, the river’s rising
Muddy water taking back my home
The road is gone, there’s just one way to leave here
Turn my back on what I’ve left below
Shifting land, broken farms around me
Muddy water’s changing all I know

It’s hard to say just what I’m losing
Ain’t never felt so all alone

Mary, take the child, the river’s rising
Muddy water taking back my home

Won’t be back to start all over
Cause what I felt before is gone

Mary, take the child, the river’s rising
Muddy water’s changing all I know
Muddy water’s changing all I know
Lord, this muddy water is taking back my home.”

Snapshots – three wheelers

Three wheelers in Dhaka Bangladesh

Tuk-tuks and human powered rickshaws are making their way to the western world. Three wheelers were common in Europe when I was a kid, but somehow they have disappeared where I lived. They never went out of fashion in France and Italy though, where they still make their own brands. Two at the back or two at the front, doesn’t matter – here we go again.

Three wheeler in Paris

Electronic three wheeler. Image: http://www.veleance.fr

Tuk-tuk in Paris

Tuk-tuk in Rome

The Italian made APE three wheeler in Rome

Three wheelers in Dhaka Bangladesh

Three wheeler in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Three wheeler ‘school bus’ in Daringbadi, India

Three wheeler cane juice vendor in Puri, India

Véléance, Electric Vehicles: http://www.veleance.fr/

About Piaggio APE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piaggio_Ape

About the Tuk-Tuk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuk_tuk

“Environmental hazard which uses too much oil”

Plastic bag in tree. Image: eflon, flickr

Along with the tourist tax, a law forbidding the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags came into effect on the 1st day of 2011 in Italy. It is a welcome move as far as I am concerned, however, as someone put it, “in a culture notorious for considering stop signs as merely advisory, it remains to be seen how effective implementing social change from the top down can be.” The government has tarted a public awareness campaign as well that promotes other types of bags as “fashionable as well as environmentally friendly.”

Sources:

Plastic Bag Ban Starts in New Year in Italy: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/12/plastic-bag-ban-italy.php

Italy to begin ban on plastic bags in shops: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12097605

See also blog post: ‘Contributo di Soggiorno’ – Rome tourist tax

 

‘Contributo di Soggiorno’ – Rome tourist tax

The Colosseum, Rome

As of today, 1st of January 2011, a new tourist tax came into effect in Rome. According to officials, “the tax is expected to raise much-needed revenue for the city, whose palaces, churches and monuments are in urgent need of restoration.” From today people staying in a hotel in Rome will have this tax added to their bills.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1336119/Rome-imposes-tourist-tax-hotel-charge-1-January-2011.html

 

“DETAILS OF FEE:
Camp sites 1 Euros per person per night max 5 days
Farm Inns 2 Euros per person per night max 10 days
B&B 2 Euros per person per night max 10 days
Rented Rooms 2 Euros per person per night max 10 days
Holiday Homes 2 Euros per person per night max 10 days
Holiday Apartments 2 Euros per person per night max 10 days
1, 2, 3-Star Hotels 2 Euros per person per night max 10 days
4, 5-Star Hotels 3 Euros per person per night max 10 days”

Source: http://en.turismoroma.it/oggi_a_roma/ultime_notizie/contributo_di_soggiorno_a_roma

“This comes after the highly debated nightly hotel tax was reported after Prime Minister’s Berlusconi’s government planned to slash €200 million euros from its annual contribution to the city of Rome. Therefore Roman officials had proposed a hotel tax of up to €10 euros per person, per night. The tax amount would be based on the number of stars assigned to a hotel by the Italian government.

Many hoteliers were up in arms and urging the city to find other revenue sources.

Meanwhile, Italian officials are seeking to raise some €25 million euros in private money to finance the restoration of the Colosseum. They will be accepting bids from possible sponsors.”

Source: http://www.eturbonews.com/17575/rome-slated-become-more-expensive-2011

See also blog post: “Environmental hazard which uses too much oil”

 

 

Snapshots – Christmas in Rome and the Vatican

Christmas tree at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican

Christmas is one of the biggest Christian celebrations and people from all over the world flock to Rome and the Vatican during the festive season. Following are images of the Eternal City preparing for Christmas.

Christmas tree at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican

Christmas tree in the Vatican

Christmas in Rome, Italy

Christmas tree in Piazza del Popolo, Rome

Christmas lights in Rome

Christmas shopping, Rome

Rome, Piazza Navona, Christmas market

Rome, Piazza Navona, Christmas markets

Carousel in Piazza Navona, Rome

Christmas decoration, Rome historic center

Christmas tree in Termini station, Rome

Christmas messages in Rome

Not everybody is as fortunate as most of us reading this blog – many people will spend this Christmas out on the street in every European city. According to every major religion it is a duty to help those in need. See blog post: Clochard – Homeless in Europe

Great gift ideas – Ferrari merchandise

The smaller items such as watches, key rings, toy cars, ties or valets would make a good gift for people who like cars and car racing. If you are the Ferrari fan yourself, you could have a photo taken next to the F1 racing monster for 16 euros (A4 size). There is a whole range of other items, including bags, clothes, car accessories, even skis. Although a pair of Ferrari skis is not a guarantee that you will be the fastest on the slopes, you definitely will be one of the most stylish. You can also get the electronic two-wheeler gadget (sure there is a name for it – pls let me know) which could be useful getting around in the city. In many big cities, including Rome, you can hire them for sightseeing if you first want to have a go at it – not the Ferrari ones of course.

There are shops in the city – the pictured one is just off Via del Corso close to Piazza Augusto Imperatore – and also at the airport.

Ferrari merchandise official website: http://store.ferrari.com/en/

See other great gift ideas: https://independentguide.wordpress.com/tag/gift-ideas/

See also blog post: Villa Borghese gardens – with kids or without

Villa Borghese gardens – with kids or without

Borghese Park, Rome

Located right above some of the main sights in Rome, such as the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, it offers a quiet alternative to the busy streets below. Worth even only for the view from the terraces, either you go up from the Spanish Steps or Piazza del Popolo. A short and nice walk would be to go up at one of these locations, and come down at the other. The park can be approached from the top of the Monti area as well, and you could take shorter or longer walks in the tranquil gardens. Apart from the shady trees, ponds, fountains, monuments and sculptures, there are several museums and galleries, including of course the Borghese Gallery. There is also a zoological museum and an animal friendly and educational biopark – it’s not even called a zoo to make a point. You can get around on foot, on hired pedal-powered cars, segway (electronic two-wheeler) or a little train. There are carousels, a toddlers playhouse (maybe closed in winter), kiosks and cafes so you can easily spend a whole day up in the Villa Borghese gardens – with kids of any age, or even without.

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood” Tom Robbins

Monuments and sculptures

Tempietto di Minerva

Monuments and sculptures

Two-wheeler gadget: segway

Pedal-powered car

Little train and carousel

View on center with the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.

View on Rome and the Vatican in the distance

Approaching the gardens from the Spanish Steps

Approaching the gardens from Piazza del Popolo

Approaching the gardens from top of Monti

Borghese Park, Rome

Map of Villa Borghese gardens

Directions in Villa Borghese gardens

Wild species in Villa Borghese gardens

Further information:

Galleria Borghese (Borghese Gallery) official website: http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/edefault.htm

About the Villa Borghese gardens: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Borghese_gardens

Bioparco (Biopark) official website: http://www.bioparco.it/en/bioparco-in-rome.html

More about Rome: Rome attractions pictures & videos

Recommended hotel in the area:

L’Hotel Cinquantatre ***

Via di San Basilio, 53 00185 Rome, Italy
Tel/Fax : (+39) 06 42014708

Official site: http://www.hotelcinquantatrerome.com/

See blog post: 53 – L’Hotel Cinquantatre

Great gift ideas – dictators and villains

Probably not for everyone’s taste – but I am sure it is intended as a joke. It reflects the satirical Italian opinion about politics – that even though most people have moderate and tolerant views, as in any country, it has always been extreme forces that controlled world events.

Wine bottles with dictators and villains

Angelini – liquor store on Via del Viminale

Wine bottles with dictators and villains

Angelini – Liquor store on Via del Viminale, close to Teatro Dell’ Opera and Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.

See other great gift ideas: https://independentguide.wordpress.com/tag/gift-ideas/

Popolo go home – business as usual

Cafes and restaurants

Walking around the center of the city the day after the protest, it was the normal Rome in a Christmas mood. Everything was open, damages repaired, locals and tourists strolling around, shopping, sitting in cafes and restaurants. If you didn’t look for it, you could hardly find any evidence of the events of the previous day. A little event however showed how much the community is divided – the fire brigade were holding a protest in front of the Parliament, joining the tens of thousands a day after the main protest. The very same people who were putting out the fires, they are surely not on the side of the trouble makers. No cordons, no heavy police presence this time – although they seemed angry, they were just as peaceful as most of the demonstrators a day before.

Piazza del Popolo

Cafes and restaurants

Piazza del Popolo

Little reminder on the asphalt

Santa and painter in Via del Corso

Rome, Christmas decoration

Christmas market Rome, Piazza Navona

Carousel and Christmas market in Piazza Navona

The fire brigade in front of the Parliament

See also blog post: Avanti popolo – business as usual

Avanti popolo – business as usual

At Piazza del Popolo things weren't that peaceful

I didn’t know about the protests in Rome – but walking around the city it became obvious something was happening. Groups of students, leftists and other activists were gathering at the main squares and there was a very heavy police presence in some parts of the center with some streets closed off. I was told the following day everything would be back to normal and you can walk around freely in the center, so I headed for the Vatican and Prati. Coming back from Prati, however, I got right into the action at Piazza del Popolo – even though this is exactly what I wanted to avoid. After seeing the turmoil I just left the scene and walked over to Piazza Navona. Business there, as well as at other tourist areas like the Pantheon or the Spanish Steps, was just as usual; Christmas market and shoppers, carousels and kids, tourists enjoying themselves. So apart from a few isolated incidents, Rome was pretty much the normal city one was expecting.

Protesters at the Colosseum

Tourists and police side by side

Locals and tourists were taking photos of the events

At Piazza del Popolo things weren’t that peaceful

Smashed glass door of a bank

Burnt out cars

At the same time everything was normal at the Spanish Steps…

…and other areas, like the Pantheon.

Christmas market at Piazza Navona – business as usual

See also blog post: Popolo go home – business as usual