Thursday, May 27, 2010
Bangladesh
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Kyrgyztan
It's a real story...'The stoning of Soraya M'
Women rights....it seems that there's no rights to women in that small village of Iran even if women are nothing....like being lower lebel than animals. One guy in the movie says that muzzles should be for women, not for dogs because he doesn't like that old woman who spoke to men directly, strictly and strongly as a truth. Those behaviors are out of their traditonal social rules. I cannot imagine that kind of situations. How can women express their opinions? They're supposed to follow men.
Generally parents love their every children regardless their sex. However Soraya's husband doesn't take care of his daughters. It looks he doesn't think daughters as his children. It's totally different from his sons. Aisian
Could you imagine that your family members accept to kill you? How could a real father agree to kill his daughter? How could the real sons throw stones to their mother to kill? How could her husband choose to get rid of his wife just because he want to marry a young woman earlier? They all said those behaviors were just as God.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
UAE(United Arab Emilates)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Czech Food
(1) Historically
Czech cuisine was influenced historically by the surrounding regions that dominated the country.
In 1273, Count Rudolph, King of Germany, controlled most of Europe including the region of the present Czech Republic. The Germans brought roast goose, sauerkraut, and dumplings, which have become Czech staple dishes.
In 1526, Ferdinand I of Austria began his reign as King of Bohemia (a western region in the Czech Republic). At that time from Vienna, the capital city of Austria, schnitzels (breaded and fried chicken or pork patties) were introduced to the Czechs.
(2) Climate & Geography
Czech cuisine is considered heavy and very filling, with meals centered on meats and starches. This is because Czech winters are long and cold, which doesn't allow to get a variety of fresh vegetables. In fact, if you take some salads, they typically are limited to two vegetables, such as tomato and cucumber. However Houby (mushrooms:the picture on the right=>) are the exception, which grow very well in local forests and are popular in soups, such as houbova polevka myslivecka (Hunter's mushroom soup).
Seafood is not widely available because the country is not located by any large bodies of water. The fish, usually carp and trout, are raised in artificial lakes or fish farms. Some Westerners may think eating carp is unappealing, but in the Czech Republic, the water where they are raised is drained clean every year, so it's ok.
- Most dishes are pork and beef but chicken, turkey, fresh-water fish, duck, lamb, and rabbit are common as well.
(1) Knedlíky (Czech Dumplings)
-Ingredients
1 egg, beaten , ½ cup milk , 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon baking powder , 4 to 5 slices white bread, cut into cubes
-Procedure
Knedliky, or dumplings are made from dough that is boiled in water.
a. In a mixing bowl, combine beaten egg, milk, flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth.
b. Add bread cubes in batter and mix well.
c. Make 2 small balls from the dough.
d. Fill a large pot about half full with water and bring to a boil.
e. Drop the dough balls into the pot of boiling water and cook 10 minutes, then roll knedlíky over and cook an additional 10 minutes.
f. Remove immediately from the water and cut in half to release steam.
g. Serve with roast pork, sauerkraut, or kure na paprice.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Man-maade beauty, Charles Bridge in Prague
This bridge is just for walker. You can see the fantastic scenery like a painting if you pass the towers which are at both ends of the bridge. If you want to see the best view of the castle of Prague, stand on this bridge and look at the castle. That's the best way. In my opinion, that's the reason why Disney mimiced the castle of Prague to take their trade mark. How wonderful it is!!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Climate & Geography
Czech Republich has a continental climate with relatively warm springs, hot summers, dry autumns, and cold, cloudy winters. The temperature difference between summer and winter is very high because of its landlocked geographical position and mountain district.
- Spring: During March, April and May, the temperature usually increases rapidly especially during April. At this period, the weather and temperature tends to vary widely during the day.
- Summer: The warmest months are June,July and August. On average, summer temperatures are about 20 degrees higher than during winter. Especially in the last decade, temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) are not unusual. Summer is also characterized by rain and storms.
- Autumn: This season begins in September, which is still relatively warm and very dry. During October, temperatures fall back under 15℃~10℃(59℉~50℉) and trees begin to shed their leaves. By the end of November, temperatures range around the freezing point.
- Winter: During January, February and December, there is usually snow in the mountains and sometimes in the major cities and lowlands.
# The best time to visit #
The best time to visit is in May or September due to the fact that the weather is mild and it is less crowded. In July and August, the hostels are crowded with students; in April and October, it is less crowded and accommodation rates are cheaper. However, you can choose the season that you like more.
* Geography
The Czech landscape is quite varied. Bohemia to the west consists of a basin, which is drained by the Elbe (Czech: Labe) and Vltava rivers and surrounded by mostly low mountains, where one also finds the highest point, 1,602 metres(5,256 ft) in the country. Moravia, the eastern part, is also quite hilly and is drained predominantly by the Morava river, but also contains the source of the Oder (Czech: Odra) river. Water from the landlocked Czech Republic flows to three different seas: the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea.
- Elevation extremes : The lowest point is Elbe River 115 m and the highest point is Sněžka 1602 m
- Natural resources in Czech Republic are hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber, and uranium.
- 41% of the land is arable land, 2%of the land is permanent crops, 11% of the land is permanent pastures, 34% of the land is forests and woodland, and 12% is other.
- The main natural hazards in Czech Republic is flooding
# The natural place to visit : Český ráj = Bohemian Paradise
Bohemian Paradise is a protected landscape area located in the Czech Republic. There are numerous hiking and biking trails and several campsites. Most popular attractions include rock town(skalní město), Valdštejn Castle, and volcanic basalt rock 'fingers'. The nearest towns are Jičín and Turnov, both of which are an approximately 1 and 1/2 hour train ride from the capital city of Prague.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
One of the famous people in Czech
15 Important Czech Republic History and Facts
1) Around 830AD, the Moravian Empire was established along the Moravian River by Slavic leader Mojmir.
2) The Moravian Empire collapsed with the Hungarian invasion in 907AD.
3) CharlesⅣ ( ※right side picture) established Prague as the cultural capital of central Europe and the Czech language was premoted to the official language. This period was called Prague's Golden Age during the 14th century.
4) John Huss was against the corruption of the Catholic Church and this resistance could be supported by ordinary people in 1414. Therefore the Hussite Wars occurred from 1420 to 1434.
5) Protestants were severely defeated in the Battle of the White Mountain in 1620. Then the Dark Age of the Czech Republic history began. That was the Habsburg Dynasty.
6) During the 1760s, it was the period of Slovene Enlightenment. The provinces of the Czech and Austrian territories were subdivided into administrative districts and German became the official language.
7) A nationalist movement called the National Revival started at the end of the 18th century, attempting to bring the Czech language, culture and national identity back to life.
8) After the WWⅠ, the Czech lands and Slovakia proclaimed the establishment of independent Czechslovakia on October 28, 1918.
9) Germany, Britain, France and Italy signed the Munich Pact, giving Hitler the right to invade and claimed Czechoslovakia's border areas, then Czechslovakia was invaded by Hitler's army on March 15, 1939.
10) Soon after the WWⅡ, the power in the country went to hands of the communist party.
11) Five Warsaw Pact member countries invaded Czechslovakia on August 21, 1968. This time was called "Prague Spring" , but Soviet troops continued to occupy the country until 1989.
12) A week after the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, the Velvet Revolution brought an end to communism.
13) There was the first democratic country's election in January, 1990.
14) On January 1, 1993 Czechslovakia split into two independent countries, Czech Repubic and Slovakia.
15) The Czech Repubic joined NATO(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in 1999 and became a member of the European Union in 2002.
* Subjective history
1) Around 830AD, the great Moravian Empire was established successfully along the beautiful Moravian River by Slavic talented leader Mojmir.
2) The weak Moravian Empire collapsed abruptly with the powerful Hungarian invasion in 907AD.
3) The ambitious CharlesⅣ established passionately Prague as the cultural capital of central Europe and the classical Czech language was premoted carefully to the official language. This glorious period was called generally Prague's Golden Age during the 14th century.
4) John Huss was against bravely the extreme corruption of the Catholic Church and this political resistance could be supported fervently by ordinary people in 1414. Therefore the Hussite Wars occurred from 1420 to 1434.
5) Protestants were severely defeated in the terrible Battle of the big White Mountain in 1620. Then the Dark Age of the Czech Republic history began unfortunately. That was the foolish Habsburg Dynasty.
6) During the 1760s, it was the period of Slovene magnificent Enlightenment. The governing provnices of the Czech and Austrian territories were subdivided into administrative districts ultimately and formal German became the official language temporarilly.
7) A victorious nationalist movement called the National Revival started valiantly at the end of the 18th century, attempting to bring the national Czech language, culture and national identity back to life.
8) After the horrific WWⅠ, the Czech lands and Slovakia proclaimed peacefully the establishment of independent Czechslovakia on October 28, 1918.
9) Powerful Germany, Britain, France and Italy signed the unfair Munich Pact, giving crazy Hitler the right to invade and claimed Czechoslovakia's border areas, then Czechslovakia was invaded suddenly by cruel Hitler's army on March 15, 1939.
10) Soon after the dreadful WWⅡ, the power in the country went to hands of the communist party finally.
11) Five Warsaw Pact member countries invaded Czechslovakia on August 21, 1968. This time was called "Prague Spring" , but stubborn Soviet troops continued valiantly to occupy the country until 1989.
12) A week after the fall of the colossal Berlin Wall in November 1989, the significant Velvet Revolution brought an end to communism fortunately.
13) There was the first democratic country's election in January, 1990.
14) On January 1, 1993 Czechslovakia split into two independent countries peacefully, fabulous Czech Repubic and Slovakia.
15) The attractive Czech Repubic joined NATO(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) joyously in 1999 and became a member of the European Union rightfully in 2002.