yoda lei he who!

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Now that my lovely attempt at Yodeling has drawn your attention to my newest post, I have decided we are going to spend our last day in Switzerland in the Swiss Alps!


The Swiss Alps are a prominent feature on the European continent. If you see them from the sky (which I have) they look just like wrinkles in a pair of jeans, but up close you being to realize: those are some pretty big pairs of jeans....


Compromised of mainly limestone, marble, and granite, the Alpine mountain range was actually not present over 500 million years ago. Natural shifting of the Earth's tectonic plates are the cause of its existence. The African tectonic plate started to move up towards the Asian and European plates causing pressure, thusly forcing the rise of new mountains up from the ocean floor.   


The highest peak in the Alpine Mountain range is Mont Blanc at 15,782 feet, on the French-Italian border. But in Switzerland, the highest peak is Monte Rosa, standing strong at 15,202 feet near Switzerland’s Italian border. The highest mountain, though, in Switzerland is the Dom, straddling the skyline at 14,911 feet. To put that in perspective, that would be as tall as 150 school buses stacked on top of each other!


But surprisingly, the growths of the Swiss Alps are still going on! The Swiss Alps are still a baby range, but by adding an average rate of 0.04 inches per year, they are on the rise. One can tell by the shape of any mountain range how relatively “old” they are. If a range’s summits are jagged and rough, the mountain range is fairly new- like the Alps. If the peaks are rounded off and smooth, it implies that the mounds of dirt and stone have been eroded down and re-shaped by the wind or other natural forces.


But in our time there, we’ll be focusing more on the tourist aspect! Various tours are offered and an ample amount of cable car systems are available. Here are a few images of what we would see from the inside of our cable car:






The Matterhorn






Map of the Alpine Mountain Range




Okay, so maybe not so much of this last image, but you get the idea. The range is so vast, it is hard to capture all it's beauty in one shot! 


Just like they say you are what you eat, "you are how your geographical features are! ~Ninjasurfer." This can directly relate to Switzerland. It's vast culture and gorgeous landscapes make it one of the most breathtaking places on Earth.   


Alas, i fee this moment is appropriate to conclude our Swiss vacation. As a parting gift, i give you one last look of glorious and awesome geographical wonder that is the Swiss Alps!


 

Swiss Cheese?: Facts and Myths about Switzerland

Swiss cheese: Is NOT Swiss! The culture famously found on most American's turkey sandwiches are actually an American invention (just like fortune cookies). Actual SWISS cheese is referred to as Emmemtal or Emmemtaler cheese. But, both cheeses still retain their famous contour of craters, which are formed by CO2 bubbles that were not removed during their production. Originally, the characteristic holes were thought as an imperfection and were constantly avoid in production. Now days, Emmental cheese artisans embrace the "imperfections" and craft the modern-day "holy" cheese that is eaten all around the world. 

   

Swiss Neutrality in Foreign Affairs: Here's the situation: your two best friends are arguing over who has the cuter homecoming dress and they ask you to decide the final verdict. What do you do? "Don't look at me, I’m Switzerland." In addition to probably losing both your friends' friendship, you have just stated a fact that has been true since 1815. The Swiss Republic has not engaged, partook, joined, contributed, took part in, or helped in any war since the early 19th century. Switzerland was one of the only European countries to maintain neutrality through BOTH world wars! Yes, it was conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte during his reign as emperor of France, but the Swiss did not fight back. Talk about a peaceful nation!

Red Cross: Notice any similarities between the International Red Cross symbol and the flag of Switzerland? They are identical (minus the color inversion)! The International Committee of the Red Cross was actually originated, and still is located, in Geneva, Switzerland in 1863. The Red Cross was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1917, 1944, and 1963: all respectfully after or during major international war conflicts. The purpose of the ICRC is "to protect the life and dignity of the victims of international and internal armed conflicts." The founder, Henry Dunant originated his ideas based off his own personal experiences as a war veteran, as well as his firsthand account of the causalities of the Battle of Solfernio in Italy on June 24, 1859. Noticing that there would be no immediate or even direct medical attention, Dunant published his feelings and ideas of what would turn into the modern-day Red Cross Association we know and deeply rely on today.    

Swiss Watches: Watches-smaches. Everyone uses their itouches or cell phones these days to tell the time. But when faced in a formal situation, a dignified and respectable watch can greatly aid your appearance! The very classic”Swiss watch" is actually, not a single brand of watch at all. The watch is considered "Swiss" if it:

1. The manufacture of the watch is carried out in Switzerland,

2. Its "face" and chain are cased up in Switzerland, and

3. The parts are made in Switzerland.

If all these criteria are met, then you have yourself a dandy Swiss-made watch

CERN: Made popular by Dan Brown's wonderfully-amazing times 10 to the millionth power novel, Angels and Demons, the European Organization for Nuclear Research or -CERN for short- is located in, you guessed it, Switzerland! Situated in Geneva along the Franco-Swiss border, CERN is primarily based on the study of nuclear particle interactions (particle physics), as well as intensive study about the atomic nucleus. 

Swiss Chocolate: Running neck and neck with the Germans and Belgians, the Swiss have built up quite a reputation for high-quality cHOCoLaTe. One most notably famous Chocolatier, Jean Tolber, invented the Tolberone Bar in 1867. The original processing of chocolate was in the 1600's; and commercial outsourcing didn't occur until after World War II. Sometimes, war can be beneficial to the palates of millions world wide. 

Famous Swiss:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau 
Edmond H. Fischer
Roger Federer
Richard R. Ernst
Ursula Geiger
Albert Einstein



Greetings from Switzerland!

Yes the greeting was in English and not in Swiss. Why? Switzerland does not have an official language or ethnicity! The next time you meet someone who claims they are Swiss, take a look, because you would be surprised at the melting pot of culture and ethnicity that the country has!

If you hadn't picked up on the subject yet, our next world tour stop is to SWITZERLAND. landlocked between Germany to the north, Austria to it's east, France to the west, and Italy to the south, Switzerland is (as mentioned above) a melting pot of many different cultures and ethnicities! And Switzerland must be doing something right: it's two major cities, Zürich and Geneva, have been ranked as the cities with the second and third highest quality of life in the world!

Politically speaking, Switzerland has three main branches of government just like the United States, and has a Federal Constitution as it's legal foundation. The current president of the Swiss Confederation is a MRS. Doris Leuthard. A Female president! KUDOS GIRL!

I know there are many, MANY more interesting facts about Switzerland, but as for now, I head to bed to adjust to Switzerland's time zone. Tomorrow we will start our day with local and cultural facts about the highly  exciting "myths vs. facts" of the Swiss Confederation!

Sightseeing in Turkey: A Guide in Under 500 Words

Turkey Travel Guide
Cappadocia: A city located in eastern Turkey, home to "mystical rock dwellings" that actual civilians live in; located in the scenic Göreme Valley of Turkey's capital city.  
 

Istanbul (Constantinople): Once the capital of the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman Empires; practically everything in this city is a historical clash of "East meets West". Literally, everything.


Pamukkale Hot Springs: Located in the Southwestern Denizli province, these naturally occurring hot springs of calcium carbonate and limestone are a unique find, even for Turkey's standards! Pamukkale Hot Springs Website


Nemrut Dagi: Located in eastern Turkey on Mount Nemrut, MASSIVE statues erected around a first century BCE royal tomb. I wonder if they had any influence from the Egyptians?Or vice versa? Nemrut Dagi Official Site


Bodrum: Originally named Halicarnassus, the sight of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. After a devastating earthquake tore down the monument, the pieces were have said to been used in building the Castle of Saint Peter that now stands there today. One man's trash is another man's treasure...


Ankara: Any country's capital city is a definite hot-spot to visit. Local artisans and civilians are always buzzing around this historic country's mega-modern capital.


Roman Baths: Located in Ankara, the remains of Roman-influenced bath houses, constructed between 212 and 217 A.D., are a truly historical find. Today, among hundreds of columns, the remains and design of the ancient baths are still visible after their destruction in a fire in the 10th century.

 

Grand Bazaar: Located in Istanbul, this massive bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered market places in the world. 250,000 to 400,00 visitors daily can window shop more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 total shops each day. Shopping spree!!  

 Coastlines: Here is where you find the best of the best, top-notch beaches in all of Eurasia: the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea coastlines. Turkey's 8,000+ KM of coastline and over 300 "blue flag" beaches allow for more than enough room for Turkey's many tourists yearly. The sandy white beaches and turquoise crystal clear waters call for a definite fun-in-the-sun day for everyone! Show off your new swim suit from the Grand Bazaar here at one of Turkey's many pristine beaches Turkey Tourism


As you can see, there is no shortage of fun in Turkey! Whether you are charting out to see ancient ruins, partake in modern-day adventures, or just head to one of the hundreds of beaches here in Turkey, this versatile country has something for everyone. I know for sure that after all the research i have done for these past few blog posts, i have gotten extremely excited to hopefully, one day, actually visit Turkey and all the wonderful historical and cultural wonders it has to offer!

 As for now, it is our time to sadly depart this hidden Arab oasis and venture off elsewhere in this vast world of ours, discovering new places and cultures. So in the native tongue of the Turks, elevda! (goodbye!)

Inside the Holy Wisdom

As we embark on our riveting adventures in Turkey, our first stop will be the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul!

The Hagia Sophia -or "Holy Wisdom"- was and still is Istanbul's most prized architectural achievement. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was the cathedral of the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1934, when it was secularized. The Hagia Sophia has stood as a museum now for the past 75 years. Because of it's influence over so many religions, the interior of the masque/church/museum/cathedral/tourist attraction has a wide range of variance in design and structure.

But, because of its main Christian and Islamic influence, most detail and care was given to the east side of the monument due to the religious practices of both religions; Churches are usually oriented eastward, while Muslims pray east (from Istanbul) to Mecca.  

Originally the Hagia Sophia was one, individual church built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century, that slowly grew in to the tri-church structure that it is today after years of constant restoration. After being the Holy Church for Orthodox Christians, it was converted into a Mosque by Mehmet the Conquer in 1453 when the Ottoman Empire took over Turkish lands in the region.

Because of its initial Christian influence when original building was underway, the Hagia Sophia has a very Basilica-type floor plan consisting of rectangular marble. The 230 foot wide by 246 foot tall structure supports a massively gi-normous dome that extends 102 feet across.    
 

If viewed from the outside, the Hagia Sophia has a lining of cannonballs that lay along the outside of a courtyard that was actually used by Mehmet in 1435 when he conquered the city. Also, the mosaic depiction of Virgin and Child above the main entrance of the building is the oldest surviving mosaic in the entire architectural phenomenon.
    

When I use the term "awesome" I wish to portray it in the most concrete from possible: the Hagia Sophia is AWESOME. Period. The fact that it is has still been standing since the 4th century is just completely mind-boggling. Yet, when you walk into this massive historical structure, you get a feeling of seclusion, primarily from the monstrous dome up above. You also experience a feel of seclusion in the terms of religious sanction. Just imagining how many millions of people turned to this gorgeous Cathedral to seek salvation, or to this versatile Mosque to pray daily to Allah makes you feel so small, yet sheltered, as if you were one and the same in the modern-day museum.

The Hagia Sophia's similarity to other world-famous monuments also strikes my curiosity. The massive Saint Peter's Basilica in Italy and the glorious Taj Mahal in India look like they could be the Hagia's monument cousins. Was there a religious significance in the dome shape? Or was it just a symbol of power and intellectualism if one could successfully put half a circle on top of a rectangle and make it last for thousands or hundreds of years? Good questions to ponder as one wanders the massive halls of the Christian and Muslim clash know to the world as the Hagia Sophia.   

Türkiye'nin selamlar! (Greetings from Turkey!)

"Turkey is a land of vast open spaces, massive mountain ranges, fertile valleys and rugged coastline, fast-growing cities and sleepy villages, bustling neon-lit seaside resorts and unfrequented beaches. A rich history has left an indelible mark on Turkey, and the country overflows with historic sites and archaeological wonders set in a varied and beautiful landscape."
Turkey Travel Guide

I couldn't have said it any better myself!

Once the former strong-hold of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey has a population of 72.5 million people consisting mostly of Arabs, and a dominate religion of Islam. The historically awe-inspiring country lies between Europe: Greece and Bulgaria; and the Middle East: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Armenia, and Georgia. Turkey also borders the Mediterranean Sea to the east, as well as the Black Sea to it's north; allowing for a hub-bub of tourism to their shorelines and heavenly-sent weather. Turkey's capital city, Ankara, along with its more commonly known city, Istanbul, reel in thousands of tourist yearly; a few out of the thousands will be us!  

 Check in soon to see what we discover at our first stop in Istanbul, Turkey: the mother-load city of historical significance.

Extended Vacation!

It has come to my attention that i have developed a passion "that burns like a thousand suns" for traveling the world. I love immersing myself in different cultures, cuisines, customs, and geographical locations different from mine. having been to 8 countries as well as 4 out of the 7 continents; I consider myself lucky and extremely thankful that I’ve had ample opportunities to circle the globe.

But I still haven't been EVERYWHERE. This is where my blog comes in. Each week I will pick a different country I’d like to travel to to explore from the warmth of my cozy bedroom study in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My blog will be used as a worm-hole to the outside world: reviewing different cuisines, exploring unique geographical features, discovering unknown traditions and events, and supplying my followers with as many images of daily life in these countries as my blog's image capacity can hold.

Follow my blog to explore the globe without the ridiculous, meaningless expenses of airplane fees -some of which could include a charge to use the loo or those life-saving oxygen masks in the near future- and take a trip around the world with yours truly.


    

It's a Big Violin?

WOAH! YOU PLAY THE VIOLIN?!?"

"no... the viola."

"...........OoooOOoOh."

"you have no idea what that is, don't you?"

".....YEAAA I DO! IT'S, UH...IT'S.....it's a teensy violin, right?"

"...no."

"OooOoOH....well is it that big one you sit down and play?"

"...no."

"oh. "

"......(awkward silence as i begin to explain what in God's name is a Viola)"

If i had a penny for everytime i have undergone this lackluster conversation, i would have enough money to make Oprah Winfrey look poor.

Violin, cello, bass. common instruments that any average citizen of the world could suppoesdly, possibly -on a good day- distingush by apperance:  

(bass, cello, violin...in case you wanted clarification)

But what about the VIOLA? is it some alienated instrument with antennae and tail? Some estranged object that no human has ever layed eyes on? no. Of course not.

Someone had to make the first one...

But the point is that many people who think they are in the presense of a violin, might actcually be in the presense of the angelic instrument known to man-kind as the VIOLA. Having said that, the VIOLA looks 100% identical to it's cousin, the violin. The only physically apparent difference would be that a viola is usally 2 to 3 times larger than a full-sized violin, and has the same low strings as it's other cousin, the cello. Violas are the "mutants" of the symphonic instruments. Although trying not to expose my bias, the viola is really the most diverse, breath-taking, awe-inspiring, remarkable, splendid, extraordinary, amazing, and coolest-sounding out of the stringed instruments (when played properly). It can play as low as the cellos because of the shared low "C" string, and almost as extreemly high as the violins. (What about the basses you ask? they're just too gosh darn low. it's impossible to distinguish their notes, so we don't worry ourselves with them.) 

So the next time you approach a violin, please, stop. Do the world a favor: think of the inspiring words of ninjasurfer. And before you judge, please consider, that you just might be in the presense of a VIOLA.