tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1148349712627392612024-03-20T21:21:05.940-07:00das Blog d'HiroizumiKosmopolitêsdas Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-91370398473739949602010-02-08T15:02:00.000-08:002010-02-08T15:30:00.592-08:00Yinchao Shi Art Exhibition: 56 Ethnic Groups (News by Phoenix Television)Danger: Chinese language skills required...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sQF6kdXBcPc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sQF6kdXBcPc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-40061431880004672682010-02-08T14:04:00.000-08:002010-02-08T14:05:57.909-08:00WSOPGestern Abend habe ich das Final Table des WSOPs, mein Lieblingsfernsehshow, gesehen. Mir gleicht das Leben ziemlich dem Hold’em. Wenn man ein paar Asse hat, bedeutet es nicht, daß er die Hand gewinnen kann; wenn man der beste Pokerspieler der Welt ist, deduetet es nicht, daß er sogar beim Final Table sitzen kann; wenngleich man In Wahrheit alle Karten der anderen Spieler sehen könnte, bedeutet es nicht, daß er notwendigerweise jede Hand gewinnen würde. Alle bedeuten, daß man wahrscheinlicher gewinnen wird.das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-59631163749129775272010-01-31T09:22:00.001-08:002010-01-31T09:22:22.309-08:00石瀛潮:56民族,56幅画、长卷<div><div style="display:block; overflow: hidden; width: 400px; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 2px; font-size:14px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; overflow:hidden"><b><a href="http://www.myplick.com/view/cneZCQ2vkYl/5656" target="_blank">石瀛潮:56民族,56幅画、长卷</a></b></div><object width="400" height="343"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.myplick.com/player-thin.swf"/><param name="FlashVars" value="plickName=cneZCQ2vkYl"/><embed src="http://embed.myplick.com/player-thin.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="343" FlashVars="plickName=cneZCQ2vkYl"></embed></object></div>das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-72602766132217011552009-05-01T10:33:00.000-07:002009-05-01T10:44:21.738-07:00What the Bible says...<span style="font-style:italic;">Deuteronomy 21:18-21:21</span><br /><br />If a man has a stubborn and unruly son who will not listen to his father or mother, and will not obey them…all his fellow citizens shall stone him (the son) to death. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Exodus 21:7</span><br /><br />When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go free as male slaves do.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Exodus 35:2</span><br /><br />On six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be sacred to you as the sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Anyone who does work on that day shall be put to death.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">1 Corinthians 11:14</span><br /><br />Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears his hair long it is a disgrace to him.das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-81546895780290492772009-05-01T10:31:00.000-07:002009-05-01T10:33:11.157-07:00人兽之辩很多人,如果一生中真能做到“衣冠禽兽”,已经很不错了。<br /><br />譬如狗对主人的忠诚,是很多人做不到的。平时狗会陪伴主人左右,危险时,我们都听说过狗奋不顾身救主人的故事;有时主人死后,驯养一生的狗会哀伤废食,最终饿死。 动物的本性是生存,这种超越自然本性的行为,确实可贵。 反过来,如果对一个人赋之无条件的恩情,不一定能换来无条件的忠诚。 忘恩负义的事太多了。难怪很多人喜欢宠物,因为宠物不会叫人伤心难过。<br /><br />譬如集体生活的狼,从捕猎到育仔,都是团队一体的,真像集体公社。捕到猎物,整群分享,小崽也是整群共养,不分彼此。但无论是在中国,前苏联,还是以色列,乌托邦被证明是办不下去的。人与生俱来的私欲,是必不可少,又很难抑制的。人类大多数团队只是个体私欲暂时的联盟,“为公”是手段,不是目的。而狼群的“群”,既是手段,又是目的。所以狼群比人群更有效率。<br /><br />下一次有人说你“狼心狗肺”,要说“谢谢”。<br /><br />农夫的蛇和南郭的狼是对动物的污蔑,把蛇,狼换成人,寓言就成了活生生的历史了,屡演不止。<br /><br />譬如企鹅,终生只有一个伴侣。鸟类中一夫一妻很多。除了生存,动物的另一本性是繁衍,即使很多伴侣,也是为了繁衍。但人似乎有着第三本性:追求感官刺激, 永远追求更强,更新的刺激。女人对男人最大的误解是,胸其实不在于大小,而在于新旧。这就是为什么,休·格兰特家有美娇娘,仍然要花钱尝野味。有人说,女人不管多漂亮诱人,总能找到一个已经厌倦了她的男人,这不无道理。性,有钱者可以买,有貌者可以诱,有计者可以骗, 唯有力者只能抢了,他们不是“兽性大发”,只不过是“人欲横流”。<br /><br />有人说,动物是残忍的: 如狮子猎捕刚出生的斑马,丧子的母马是多痛苦。但这丛林规则,在现代全球化的竞争中尤为突出。如果不在政府机构,就会体会到这一点:希望自己的公司蒸蒸日上,抢夺市场,巴不得竞争者工厂倒闭,公司破产,员工解雇,老板跳楼。但很多家庭因此陷入困境,他们的孩子嗷嗷待哺,失业的父母也是非常痛苦的。这种弱肉强食的法则在人类社会中也能体现得透彻淋漓。很多动物貌似凶残,如狮,虎,但“虎毒不食子”,就连用来吓唬小孩的狼,也曾有过抚养“狼孩”的慈心。但人类历史中,古今中外,父子相戮,手足相残的事比比皆是,这类人真可谓“禽兽不如”。<br /><br />仁义道德虽然是人得意的发明,但其根源在于自然。如果我们能返璞归真,顺应自然,做到“人面兽心”,那人类社会会和谐安宁得多。das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-91506742996916292132009-03-25T02:24:00.001-07:002009-03-25T02:34:06.242-07:00日寇该不该抗?上世纪军国主义日本大规模入侵中国,给中国和中国人民带来了极大的灾难。诸多惨绝人寰的暴行,是不争的事实。那为什么要问:日寇该不该抗呢?<br /><br />因为三百年前,另一股力量也试图占领中国。满清和日本对中原的战役有相似之处,但结果不同。反清失败了,抗日成功了。如果历史是只看结果的话,那“该不该”的问题就出现了。<br /><br />首先,两者都是异族。虽然满族现在是中华民族的一部分,但在明末,“华夷之辨”是非常清楚的:多尔衮消灭了李自成,张献忠后,农民军的余部,放弃了阶级斗争,将民族矛盾放在首位,拥明抗清;连清末孙中山也号召:“驱除鞑虏,恢复中华”。二十世纪之日本是异族,这点是毫无疑问的。<br /><br />其次,两者都是中原政府的宿敌。女真的祖先金朝完颜氏是宋朝的死敌, 皇太极改国号“后金”为“清”以避免汉人的怨恨;倭寇是明朝的祸害,而十九世纪的殖民主义日本更是击败了当时的天朝大国,迫使签了辱国的《马关条约》。<br /><br />第三,两者的武力镇压都是血腥的。后金在辽东一贯实行屠城,三光政策;多铎破扬州后,十日内“无日不杀人”,据说有八十余万人被杀,史称“扬州十日”。日军的暴行,无需多说了,南京大屠杀中约三十万遇难。<br /><br />对于这两股以关东为基地的凶悍的异族宿敌,中原政府和人民做了顽强的反民族压迫的抵抗。当时抗清是应该的,抗日也是应该的,两者之间有一定的共同性。<br /><br />但为什么现在没有人“抵制清货”呢?全家老少都喜欢看“格格戏”呢?可能因为清朝早已成为历史,而日本不但存在,而且不断地做出伤害周边国家的事。除了这原因外,还有其他因素吗?<br /><br />反清失败了。除了明廷昏庸无能,八旗军骁勇善战外,更重要的是清廷自太宗皇太极至世祖福临(顺治)的“满汉一体”的战略思想。太祖努尔哈赤一统辽沈之后,对汉人采取残酷的民族压迫;太宗一改这种错误的政策,在推动满族文化的同时,更推动了汉文化的融入,缓解了满汉矛盾。对明以招降为主,受降了“三顺王”,洪承畴,吴三桂,成为八旗汉军,南下灭大顺(李自成),大西(张献忠),和南明的主力,连出尔反尔的祖大寿也仍受礼遇。多尔衮入关后,做了很多收买人心的事,特别是重葬崇祯帝和取消剃发令,得到诸多大明遗臣的赞许,连誓死抗清的史可法都认为“此等举动,振古烁金,凡为大明臣子,无不长跪北面,顶礼加额”。世祖更是加快了仿明,汉化的步伐。多尔衮入关,仅有十二万八旗军,但不断地受降明军,不断地扩充实力,打败了近两百万农民部队,过百万的南明军,这不能不说是清廷战略上的胜利。<br /><br />然而日本的战略思想是“三月亡华”,而对中国人民残酷的民族压迫,颇有当年清太祖的错误性。虽然日本也建立了很多伪政权,伪军势力也曾经多达百万之众,但这些只是在无法全面统治侵占区后的权宜之计,表面文章。当时的日本,沿袭着自甲午战争以来的优越感,对中国和中国文化带有强烈的鄙视,中国无非只是用来提供无限自然资源,奴役,实验品,和慰安妇,一切“东亚新秩序应由中日共同主导” 之类的宣传只是掩人耳目的幌子。在这样的思想下,是无法得到战略上的胜利的。所以抗日期间的贰臣,远远少于明末,因为大多数中国人都看清了日本殖民侵略的本质。<br /><br />但是,如果日本当时也采取了“逆取顺治”的战略思想,尊重汉文化,真正实行“中日共治”,那么那种日寇该不该反抗呢?如果那种日寇也可能带来“康乾盛世”的话,我们中也会不会有怀念日治的欧巴桑呢?是不是有可能把大和也算成是中华民族的一部分呢?das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com402tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-26752989555108200922009-03-13T19:31:00.000-07:002009-03-16T22:10:14.605-07:00彭莹玉该不该退?元末彭莹玉大和尚利用弥勒教组织了广大农民群众,建立了西系红巾军,与北系白莲教的红巾军相呼应,成为反元初期的主要势力。彭大和尚对革命“是一生至业, 勤勤恳恳播种,施肥,浇水,拔草”,失败了,从头再来。成功了,决不居功。第一次起事,以其弟子周子旺为王;第二次是徐寿辉做的皇帝。起义成功后,彭大和尚却从史书上消失了。红巾军终于在另一个沙弥朱重八的带领下,推翻了蒙古大汗。<br /><br />六百年后在西柏坡,毛爷爷对彭莹玉的功成身退却不以为然,提出“彭的下落是消极的,道家的,称赞不当”。后有人认为彭大和尚可能于1352或1353年在战争中牺牲了。如果是事实,也不存在退与不退的问题;但如果彭大和尚真的在农民政权建立后回归人民,那他是否该隐退是值得讨论的。<br /><br />虽然无法知道彭大和尚自己的想法,但如果他真的退了,我们可猜测以下几种原因:一是他可能认为他最大的影响力是在基层,以教育和培养新人为革命做贡献。做领袖做大官不是他的所长。这也许是他为什么总是在起义中做副手的原因,尽管“彭大和尚”是一个家喻户晓,令元军 大伤脑子的名字;二是他可能认为革命即将胜利,该急流勇退了。1353年朱重八只是个小卒(刚刚当了郭子兴的女婿,取了官名叫元璋),但是其他地区的红巾军却打得有声有色:1353年代徐寿辉、小明王前后称帝,郭子兴起义,非红军的张士诚、方国珍大败元军。元廷行将就木。三是遭人排挤,被迫退出红军。这和该不该退的讨论关系不大。<br /><br />如果是第一个理由的话,彭大和尚其实没有退,只是换一种非显性的方式继续为起义出力。是积极的,该称赞的。<br /><br />那第二个理由,“功成身退”,是消极的的吗?可能彭莹玉退得稍早了一点,革命尚未成功,大和尚仍需努力。那至多是彭莹玉在判断上过于乐观了,在中原的元朝还有15年的阳寿。但如果彭莹玉继续革命15年,再“功成身退”呢?毛爷爷恐怕又会说:参加了革命斗争,不参加革命建设,也是消极的。朱元璋不是强迫知识分子当官吗?不肯做官的,不仅全部处死,而且全家籍没。所以,干革命,恐怕一定要“鞠躬尽瘁,死而后已”,才是积极的。<br /><br />但这个“死”是善终呢,还是走狗之烹呢?先看看朱爷爷的顶级良弓走狗:刘基,李善长,宋濂,和他儿时放牛的伙伴徐达,周德兴,都是在功成名就后,鞠躬尽瘁时被朱爷爷清除的;明初的四大案被诛杀的超过十一万人。洪武年间,朱爷爷通过文字狱,检校,锦衣卫搞的大清算,不幸的是,不是空前绝后的。毛爷爷在西柏坡说,吴晗的《朱元璋传》手稿对他“启发不少”。可惜的是,天资同样聪慧的毛太祖只是受到了如何进行大清算的启发,却一昧地批评明哲保身的彭大和尚。而且,毛太祖有两个现成的镜子没有能好好地照一下:孙中山和华盛顿,都是功成名就,克服了私欲而急流勇退的好例子。在洪武30年和新中国30年中,两位卓越的军事家,革命家,和政治家都不同程度地把中国人民推向了另一个火坑,其责难逃。<br /><br />朱爷爷传,本来用来影射历史的,不幸的是,却预示了历史。历史的无情轮回,聪明绝顶的朱爷爷,毛爷爷不能跳出,但彭莹玉似乎做到了,恐怕彭大和尚的修行要在上位之上啊。das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-54767046628369172009-02-24T01:24:00.001-08:002009-02-24T01:24:33.792-08:00文天祥该不该降?元军兵下临安,南宋已处弥留之际。西路元军围攻钓鱼城(今重庆附近)。主帅王立率十几万军民奋力抵抗。城内绝粮,外无援军。王立牢记当年蒙古大汗蒙哥立下的遗言:“若克此城,当尽屠之”。后经斡旋,元廷保证降则不屠城。于是王立出降,元军也恪守其言。<br /><br />后人有骂王立为民族叛徒,历史罪人。如果那时是文天祥守钓鱼城,他会不会降呢?<br /><br />幸运的是,历史没有把这十几万生灵压在文天祥的肩上,但他自己的选择也绝非容易。在元大都的牢房里,饱受着肉体,精神上的折磨,和与妻女分离的痛苦。最终舍生取义, 成为不朽的民族英雄。<br /><br />如果只用一个字来形容文天祥,那就是“正”。他的《正气歌》以“天地有正气”开头。这个“正”恐怕包含两层意思:一是中原汉族为正,二是儒家之“君臣天理”为正。这两层意思都清楚地在《正气歌》中表现出来了。<br /><br />在《正气歌》中,文天祥引用了诸多“以正压邪”的例子。 以说明“中原汉族为正”的有:张良刺秦,苏武牧羊,五胡乱华时祖逖中流击楫,安史之乱时张巡、颜杲卿忠烈殉国;以说明“君臣天理”的则几乎全是,包括春秋时齐崔杼,晋赵盾弑君,八王之乱,曹魏篡汉,武侯讨贼兴汉。所以赵宋王朝,既是中原正统,又是自家的君王,投降“鞑虏”对文天祥是无法接受的事。<br /><br />所以如果文天祥守钓鱼城,也一定会身死城破,成仁取义的,十几万军民也恐怕会无一幸免。<br /><br />民族气节中所包含的“正”一般都很容易被接受。但儒家之“君君臣臣”为“正”,就很令人困惑。赵匡胤年轻时,受柴荣(即周世宗)赏识,提拔很快。但在周世宗死后六个月,赵匡胤就取代了七岁的周恭宗(周世宗之四子),建立的他的宋朝。赵匡胤欺负七岁小孩,这是不仁;而对赏识提拔自己却尸骨未寒的周世宗来说,这是不义;除了忘恩负义,最重要的是,赵匡胤逆反“君臣天理”,篡夺王位,实在是不忠不正, 也应该是《正气歌》中所要鞭挞的。这样一个在私欲和不忠,不仁,不义中诞生的王朝,与“天地有正气”实在相去甚远。<br /><br />也许文天祥没有足够的资料来知道“陈桥兵变”的真实内幕,他或许被诸如太祖生时,“赤光绕室”之类的话所迷惑。在文天祥的眼中,赵宋代周是奉天承运的事。但是在《正气歌》中,他却引用了“为嵇侍中血”的例子。大意是:八王之乱时,侍中嵇绍为保护晋惠帝,被杀,血溅到惠帝衣服上。惠帝一直保留着这件带血的衣服。这是“护主之危,以身殉之之例”。但是司马家族篡夺曹魏是事实。虽然曹丕代汉一直被儒家所唾骂,但是司马氏祖孙三世欺负曹家孤儿寡母,逆取天下,也是事实。 当王导把那段历史说给晋明帝司马昭听时,明帝惭愧地说:“若如公言,晋祚复安得长远”。所以两晋的根和两宋的根一样是不正的,而为什么《正气歌》中要引用“为嵇侍中血”的例子呢?<br /><br />文天祥因不叛宋不降元而死。不降元是因为民族气节之“正”,而不叛宋是因为什么之“正“,却值得商榷。但不管怎样,因为文天祥之不降,我们才有了近似于理想化了的“民族情操”和“坚贞气节”,为后世之标榜。das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-32395071138757143312009-02-21T14:03:00.000-08:002009-03-22T10:21:54.312-07:00岳飞该不该杀?提起岳飞,大家都会想起他是“中国历史上的民族英雄”。但在多民族大融合的现在,我们恐怕只能叫他 “汉族的民族英雄”。这样说还是难免有点民族狭隘性。我们不妨叫他“中国历史上的英雄”。<br /><br />英雄是见解、才能超群出众的人。岳飞很会带兵打仗,受宋朝老百姓爱戴,连金朝兵将都很敬畏。军事才能超群出众,堪称英雄。见解呢?岳飞的反侵略反压迫的民族气节是一直被颂扬的。但汉族老百姓在受到外族压迫的同时,也受到腐朽的宋朝的压迫。徽宗时的宋江,方腊起义及两宋之际的钟相,杨幺起义,就是“被逼上梁山 ”的例证。岳飞参加了高宗时的部分“剿匪”工作。岳飞即使能收回失地,也只不过把老百姓从一个火坑中拉出来再推进原来那一个火坑。作为一个见解超群出众的人,岳飞应该另立贤才,或者用训练岳家军的卓越才能自立门户,真正地解救百姓。<br /><br />有人说“愚忠报国”只是当时的历史局限性,但我认为这应该是他本人的局限性。自先秦到隋唐,由内宗外戚,权臣近宦发起的宫廷政变不计其数。屠君易主,或者取而代之的事也司空见惯。可能是“君权神授”的谎骗,更可能是 “君臣天理”的禁锢,岳飞始终认为天下是赵宋的天下。总之,受十二道金牌召回,被也许有的罪名处死,实在是太窝囊了。<br /><br />在战争中,金兵有屠城抢掠的行为。岳飞死后,宋金有了绍兴和议,边界确定了下来。特别是之后的金世宗,金章宗时期的“大定明昌之治”,经济繁荣发展,女真,契丹和汉族的老百姓也相安无事。可见和平时期的金朝,不见得是个大火炕。<br /><br />再说宋高宗,其实他是个明白人。自太祖释兵权之后,宋军毫无战斗力。对辽,对夏,对金,屡战屡败。岳家军的神话无法驱散近一百七十年的心理阴影。他的“逃跑主义”是可以理解的。高宗在位三十六年,逃命享乐两不误,又做了二十五年逍遥自在的太上皇,死时八十一岁高龄。他已经在极度困境中积极努力地创造出享乐的天堂,在临安和在开封没什么不一样,可能气候还更好一点,所以他不需要谁来退金兵,所以他一定要坚持“投降主义”。更何况万一退不了金兵,连现有的都会失去;如果灭了金国,必迎徽,欽回宋,自己的位子也就没有了。岳飞这个军事天才对自己是有害无益的。再加上汉奸秦桧的怂恿,岳飞不乖巧的性格,和岳家军有点尾大不掉,杀岳飞已经是事在必行了。<br /><br />对于高宗来说,岳飞该杀,但从历史上看,如果历史的正义性是以大多数平民百姓较长期的生活好坏来衡量的话,没有一个成熟开明的政治头脑的军事天才也只能是被人使用的利器,它的两刃性或多刃性是很危险的。做一,两个不是最恰当的比较,如董卓手下的吕布,最终还是被斩杀;隆梅尔和山本五十六都是二战名将,军事天才,但我们不能称他们是“人类历史上的英雄”。das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-90472417787870242912008-11-29T00:18:00.000-08:002008-12-01T23:57:57.281-08:00做人的标准不是每个人都能符合我的标准,<br />我也不能符合每个人的标准。<br /><br />别人的标准只要合情合理,我会努力改善自己,<br />但即使我的标准合情合理,我也不会对他人寄予很大的希望。<br /><br />Leute sind verschieden. Ich erwarte nicht, was die Anderen könnten, aber tue was ich kann.das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-84707074169177402852008-10-25T11:00:00.000-07:002008-10-25T11:01:39.082-07:00杜柯坊青皂黑黝乌漆墨<br />丹赤红彤朱绯胭das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-76416782466532418062008-08-08T20:08:00.000-07:002008-08-08T23:59:07.180-07:00China Welcomes YouMentioning “China”, some would smile, some frown; visiting China, some would be awed and impressed, and some frustrated and disgusted. China is like any other country in the world with its shares of accomplishments and disappointments. As China welcomes the world to the Olympics, the world needs to hug back and say: “Welcome back, and let’s together make China and the world a better place”.das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-39590944559989696002008-07-27T20:12:00.001-07:002008-07-27T20:31:26.638-07:00Kibbutz Living“Imagine no possessions <br />I wonder if you can <br />No need for greed or hunger <br />A brotherhood of man <br />Imagine all the people <br />Sharing all the world”<br /><br />Struggling and adapting, what failed categorically in Russia and China has nevertheless survived in the unexpected Land of Holies. Kibbutzim in Israel, however, are not what they used to be. Community members mostly eat their meals at home, receive salaries according to contribution, and the commune may now be professionally managed. Palmachim, 30 minutes southwest of Tel Aviv, is a typical example of the present day kibbutzim. <br /><br />I was greeted by 80-year-old Mr. Zvi who looked like Jack Lemon’s twin brother. One of the founding members of Palmachim in the late 1940s, Mr. Zvi spoke with nothing short of great pride and confidence. The first place we went was the dinning hall which is at the heart of the kibbutz. Communal meals were essential and necessary to kibbutz living at the beginning when most of the members were in their youth and owned no personal properties. As community has grown, most people now choose to spend their private time with their family members. The dinning hall still serves meals, and a simple lunch costs less than 30 shekels (or US$ 8.60)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pc5kY6UDD_y4RfTuV_zv1iBlnRPoauhHwL1FQPEpADpPCAXDfQBZsqgTiCdvatBgg0AZkEtdWMUBdaOeqWHQGqff0hCI49aJv6quH6QFrRW0XJ2R7Rk7ojr1p5xJ2ymC0usl4y1yVpA/s320/DSCN2205.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227898075692116050" /></a><br /><br />On a land of dirt and sand, Palmachim was built from scratch on the Mediterranean coast. Today it looks like a resort cluster near Caesarea that may cost US$ 10,000 per square meter. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudywyZ-mHPlORUTwaI2V3mrk8dVE6KuUBXFOW_HPtyqrSEitVBoKiwGSCUrngOFr_ZvAT9PncF7F_P430UK26lNpGYGGPzk7XVLzJURECbb9ghnVpuy8lJ4up-DuQ2_T3zsrFI-8oLgQ/s320/DSCN2196.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227897798267798946" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JHgVJJzoU5Le92asb9bscqHA-n67JYo1tU6vqprBHEXD7fQz9K3kECfHJ8c0weX07QZC6iSgv9jeBRCfvQHgKXXl6O_bF_3DDXTMZ56lZkmKKDOh_TY0N-uwfkv4_2npKkcZMHrtQyQ/s320/DSCN2198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227898666294171858" /></a><br /><br />There are a few different building types in this 500-member community: single family homes close to the entrance, two-level multiplexes along the beach, and various two- to four-unit apartment buildings in the middle. The kibbutz has an expansion plan to virtually double its current size, but most of the new buildings will be up for sale. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRVlBbKmKz8p3NxDfTBXRjn_WZkL3mh52KfaVMmy_XqEUxmJKenr4yVd8DtqEuX7F42goruRVFVYFTrHK3SOf13beu6MdVtdejkYQLc2BxJY3gmtnjhyMUh23C-exg0-gaFaGyjV0lnY/s320/DSCN2201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227898997907209730" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKaRADF4NPZpcg7aBqVDpTzysM48vJsE3O7pxI0pNx35-NZBPf0jfFMAoJW2hVC8Q3Z9vTuCghdXHk5u85WXj-ekk0mHPHrDqhLC3GE5G98vk7RAJlr7KSTKER45q06VtzOalU-yA4Xo/s320/DSCN2211.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227899001782040338" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxt7FKOlk6lyxgihFqWZUSadI2X_wP1MrF8jaN1alSWJ5_uy7-6Vkt6j9ZT4khdGg1qIi2-quA-Z-dqexHXhnX0dvm_JIpWO2bmE3yfxtlMPkR3aPXlzC76hVcYVNte7dXiskKpoOGsc/s320/DSCN2213.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227899003478196834" /></a><br /><br />This “new” capitalistic management system as almost all kibbutzim in Israel are desperately adapting seems to have turned the original socialistic ideal right on its head. “The new system”, as Mr. Zvi tactically put it, is expected to save the financially struggling utopia. People now receive salaries and are paid differently based on their individual contribution. With advancement in agriculture and relocation of the cow ranch, many people work in the nearby city of Rishon LeZion during the day, and return at night. Some of the buildings are current rent out to outside companies. The kibbutz can no longer provide free housings, so the new condos will need to be purchased by the community members. These are just a few examples. <br /><br />“We all voted for it”, said Mr Zvi. The despair and disappointment were as evidently poignant as the hot and salty Mediterranean breeze. China has been doing the same transmorphing for almost 30 years. The otherwise long extinct Marxist mammoth is now the world’s most coveted commercial paradise and is hosting the spectacular coming-out-of-Commie-closet extravaganza this August. So, Mr. Zvi, everything will be <span style="font-style:italic;">sababa</span>, but I didn’t say it to him.<br /><br />Nurseries are located between the dinning hall and the living quarters. In such way, the kids are safe and not likely to wander into the sea without being noticed. Kibbutz children are raised together. The parents don’t give up their newborns but share the responsibility of taking care of all the children in the commune. This is similar to how cubs are raised in hyena packs. Lactating hyenas feed any needy cubs in the pack, and spoil is also shared with no discrimination. Despite hyenas’ deceivingly lowly appearance, I have the highest respect for them, probably the most efficient and tenacious survivalists in Serengeti. I don’t know any kibbutz kids, but I bet almost all Israelites know this kibbutz boy. His name is Ben Gurion, the founder of the modern state of Israel. When the national airport in Tel Aviv is named after him, I guess he must have done something right in his life. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIeWkfVW9GxgleWHP4p2TzPBusnxKBQJVBQq16pMv9G3mIuIQojqvvQaxt1KyO9SnDNWOaAxPg6N0m4St8mTQ2vKe3g2UpLC4anQllBx22YA0-lYihLfC0KRvAtrFrc7qx3grHlIue6Y/s320/DSCN2226.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227899972176550850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12QFD32si3ngiutjDDwuEBYz5BmMaLSFicwQIhQYnS-JsFLEUP7uq1G1t6PmCALWvj_sri1LMxgKfWSRUll72XqfhArp-ViEScQjpsNoIVsbB4lkAeUSdAJgzA_wd7zsIKxQIhYiSK8A/s320/DSCN2227.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227899977701827602" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O6qu5XUuplj-4c-DeNvao1hzCvJZc-J19zAna6H3gXSOfO7Jap-l3c-5yCt0QEY-hVdLueiPchIE6XNW5JrXtoreTYg3gHE8daFcfbeOeTdC5N2wXBAqMFhvEuNyE7EHfnPdknFH2l4/s320/DSCN2225.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227899979441192402" /></a><br /><br />The last stop was the kibbutz museum. When building the community, people discovered many items of archaeological importance. Right at the crossroad of culture highways, the Judea Hills witnessed and, many times, endured the coming and going of many great peoples: Phoenicians, Canaanites, Israelites, Egyptians, Syrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Byzentiums, and Arabs. The list is of course not exhaustive. When the dust settles, millennia of dynastic changes, gruesome conquests, massive losses of human lives, all seems to amount to little more than a few fragmented potteries, eroded coins, and cracked skulls buried deep in the dirt. <br /><br />Greed, probably the greatest motivation in human history, has propelled us from the Stone Age to the Information Age, yet with an equally staggering price tag. I suspect with confidence that the renunciation of greed for personal gains was part of the reasons that the ideal of kibbutzim was developed and implemented on this restless land. Sadly, the world is not ready for it, neither was it kind to Russia and China in the 20th century. Change is inevitable for survival, but may not be a betrayal. The question whether to die for an ideal or to live another day trying to fulfill it later has been answered, both in Masada some 2,000 years ago and in present day Palmachim. <br /><br />Shalom, Mr. Zvi and Palmachim. Behatzlacha!das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-80223476033222402752008-07-26T12:46:00.001-07:002008-08-05T10:22:28.860-07:00The White City of BauhäuserA world heritage site by UNESCO, Tel Aviv boasts over 4,000 Bauhaus buildings, which originated in pre-WWII Germany and make no distinction of form and function. One of the best examples is supposed to be 34 Frug Street in the city center. Pretty illiterate about architecture, I think I can appreciate its function, but its minimalistic match-box form is quite plain and unremarkable. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHS7aMIQivkXOwYYmOfbk3bk9S8Flgp2mmgNWQTIAhyphenhypheniszGuwN7hMhOCzsWtpp5OWa1hjxjnu7FLPHL4Ydak9d8lckZX4MqZ2hSDg6cKrX-_iRv_sRBxEtBEOWJyXnNitrpFy6mu5yjc/s320/DSCN2237.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227411888877662034" /></a><br /><br /><br />Its rectangular balconies may have maximized the usable area, but the edginess and stiffness in form bring on tension and stress. The ornamental gap, a nice addition, seems to serve no functional purpose. The dimensionally matching overhang looks like a sharp blade cutting abruptly into a vanilla cake, which seems to help further psychological strain. The size of the windows may suffice for lighting and ventilation, but enlarged windows, while enhancing the functionality, might help reduce greatly the surface tension of the blandness of the flat white exterior wall. Often found in luxury condominiums, the roof awning supported by a colonnade does produce a much needed spatial relief from solid planes, but, judged from the street, its practical purpose eludes me. So an amateur’s opinion, I think the distinction of form and function at 34 Frug Street is quite clear, and they do not seem to complement each other quite well. But again, the days I spent in studying architecture is zero. So for the moment, I will pretend to agree with UNESCO. <br /><br />A few more examples of Bauhaus structures around Dizengoff Square are stored in my unwilling camera.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLN0QcNpnrplir3KDJjw1DwZxOy1_XRJmuyxwxHjSinoPgu_jRr_03P_BGjphx5zdxLNsyglXzCHipUtRtqeWYNJXp7ZiLxsQ2Z9MHxnLC41nAJLil3be2oVVWlfYIXlh4Q-8h6vyUVI/s320/DSCN2242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227413236730090098" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgFLcKKn6MILxIXqq0BRqn47UJDzeTGr-Xvbymf15xLyfxqFI2xJ1w5sqHWGGFuyeUJOaNJYFdHCuCo-W_3p8mUaABAPLaHyouaMl8VZ0dgpL9Hr7SeVstAocr8b7pN3Pm1H2RkgIOM0/s320/DSCN2243.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227413240732463298" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlkrMup3DaVLGWpePRExi6jhM2XspBXwriontd6liv7FmWcd0EFDoJXGhlcihMIb9ua1dAQvdp9MyUcn49v0VYgZD_U3HFfqf1onqP2XGp3-8DIX_Fs__PdPN-azGxOfLm3A9idhKPLA/s320/DSCN2248.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227413243972228642" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIt1cSnjQtMPyU1xtrqW0ivB0bHTgq4UC7JNs-jmY8H8woXP6PK6b-u3rUhiK01ct8JWAGJYpiviyiJxajpY5ZTYhb2LeTKd-5g-wYANMzFtGrvHbo-rQVnWF_K8v0P-I12fin_uIoI0/s320/DSCN2249.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227413245501609442" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGd4TN5RfW0lpFOFkPk5k6K3526tDAtcaDsBTR8oMoN7qTZ2pOWeccHuoQ5vuEGDRaL_2p9GLUpEnFYUkbRhEUVh4y04BTwUnvKpzrCm5weUx6QDQ-L9XBxdVDL7qK9AOvbn12m58bSTM/s320/DSCN2253.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227413250325160226" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTA9U_iZlNCalAx34WKHvIblXFjtw2bRmGNaqpcK8fKWFH-5NkKj2IDeQsQFUEgXowuyJ5hY0n7MDHrRvfwTsl-boWJviLDAskZG8mZeukxecT9JGzLffZ-ENdmXFvkLj2CgiFaaLuUQ/s320/DSCN2266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230797207823316706" /></a>das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-55426106599115827392008-07-24T01:41:00.000-07:002008-07-24T01:48:30.580-07:00Useful Hebrew Phrasesshalom<br />lehitra'ot<br />boker tov<br />toda<br />toda raba<br />tov me'od<br />bevakasha<br />ken<br />lo<br />regga<br />rak regga<br />beseder gamur<br />sababa hegozim<br />ma shlom cha?<br />baruch hashem<br />savlanut (= patience)<br />bidiyuk (= exactly)das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-63980416036333074542008-06-23T23:54:00.000-07:002008-06-29T02:08:27.876-07:00Carlin (1937-2008)The first Carlin piece I saw was “flying on the airplane” in which he challenged some conventional use of words, which, if you think about it, doesn’t really make much sense. Examples include “pre-boarding process”, “non-stop flight”, “check the vicinity of your seating area for any personal properties you might have brought on-board”, etc. A language teacher myself, I was much inspired thereby and did discover that our daily communications were often overwhelmed by hackneyed clichés and true meanings often were lost in the process.<br /><br />Many comedians do such routines in which they challenge conventional wisdom, but nobody has been more direct, poignant, and precise than Carlin. He never hesitated in spitting out the naked truth about religion, ugly facts in politics, shameless abuse of language, capricious trends in society, and the list goes on. Walking away from lucrative contracts doing clean, safe and brownnosing Vegas shows, Carlin reinvented himself, or went back to his true roots. His life long anti-establishment motif is utterly absent in the cautious Seinfeld or the hilarious Williams, yet the influence is apparent in the neurotic Black and the slightly gay Maher. He could fire more rapidly than the obnoxious Miller yet still sound more eloquent than the witty Letterman. Carlin was really among the very few who were able to stun, challenge and entertain his audience at the same time. <br /><br />Carlin, thank you for all the grievances and complaints. I will miss you...das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-91762323010021232282008-06-15T22:40:00.000-07:002008-06-15T22:45:45.621-07:00Kung Fu PandaEverybody was Kung Fu fighting, and everybody loves Kung Fu Panda<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8WqsS_bEYqM&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8WqsS_bEYqM&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-85953739155699243312008-06-08T23:24:00.000-07:002008-06-08T23:30:05.180-07:00My First Hebrew LessonI met with Chen for some Hebrew lesson this evening. It was totally a <span style="font-style:italic;">Donna Chang</span> situation, because her name wasn’t really Chen, but חן. There wasn’t any English equivalent. Anyway, getting through the alphabet was challenging, since there were many exceptions to the rule. At the end, I tried to say something coherent:<br /><br />אני אהוב את סין<br /><br />Was it?das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-87151293005310532562008-05-25T03:31:00.000-07:002008-05-25T15:41:52.079-07:00Une Nouvelle ChineÀ 14.28 le 19 Mai, 6 jours après le tremblement de terre ravageur à Szechuan, toute la Chine avait un moment de silence pendant 3 minutes, une coutume chinoise réservée seulemment pour un chef d'état. C’était la première fois pour les sinistrés dans l’histoire de la Chine. <br /><br />Il y a un tremblement de terre plus dommageable qui a tué plus de 250,000 personnes en 1976. À ce moment-la, la Chine a refusé toute l’aide un tout le média aux pays étrangères, comme le gouvernement de la Birmanie cette année. Maintenant, au contraire, le sauvetage des “goons and thugs” est arrivé beaucoup plutôt que l’Air Force One qui est seulement descendue aux 17,000 pieds au-dessus du Mississippi 4 jours après Katrina et jamais fait atterrir dans la région dévastée. <br /><br />J’ai quitté la Chine il y 14 ans et le pays a changé de façon significative depuis. Un ne voit pas seulement les gratte-ciel flambants neufs, voitures et restaurants fantaisies, Louis Vuitton et Chanel ominprésent, mais également une entièrement nouvelle génération qui est folle de l’idéologie et philosophie de l’ouest et, en même temps, de l’idée qui la Chine est l’un des plus grands pays au monde. <br /><br />La Chine rouge a commis beaucoup de fautes dans le passé, mais depuis les années 80 la Chine s’a dégagé de son âge des ténèbres et embrassé le monde. Elle continue à épouser bonnes pratiques telles que l’économie de marché, le fair-play, la protection de la propriété intellectuelle, etc. Le changement le plus important est la transition du centre de l’attention sur l’état en les citoyens. Les sociétés essayent de concevoir merchandises plus humaines; le gouvernement modifie ses routines pour mieux service; les talk shows prospèrent en parlant des vies des personnes ordinaries. Le centre du sauvetage après le tremblement de terre à Szechuan est de sauver les rescapés à tout prix. <br /><br />Si vous envisagez de saisir une torche d’un athelet amputé encore à l'avenir, regardez ce film :<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nUxVJY0-D8k&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nUxVJY0-D8k&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-46600214930324003132008-05-19T22:19:00.000-07:002008-05-25T16:22:31.134-07:004.1 MET: The Beautiful NileAlmost all civilizations started by rivers: the great Tigris and Euphrates, the mighty Yellow River, the mythical Indus River, and of course, the most magnificent Nile. <br /><br />My hotel room in Luxor was just at the riverfront and I woke up to one of the most beautiful scenes in the morning. The Nile in brilliant dark Periwinkle blue was sprinkled with dawn sunlight; fleets of feluccas parked along the riverbank with proudly erect masts coated in gold; so were the dwellings reflecting the shining golden sunlight. A few hot-air balloons were flying some thrilled early birds over the Theban Necropolis and the Nile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0WoKfwiyW1Ftq7N_UfsH5dPfVvYW7qFV7l-GYEBUTrdZFsQLLKjyEeSujcHW_Uxpu6D9878Qrun29xZ4FPOHNu2P_EvkEIelDgOlInuEHGK170C7mG7OwbvK_25icQx9ttqavVayDR8/s320/31.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204423075724531058" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHGwxZuBQ6EncpsdTz3293y-GuGAlu7Hc83ve5q0ce75XXosTPFI9TSB-fKmcUrcaz907ryUYelqfxaULJuS-5GpbjnIwM0lX1j3uuKLVsnTwDcwffg-Hr59gSiooHBb131D3kSfj2AA/s320/balloon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204422921105708386" /></a><br /><br />When the sun was high, more colors came out and vied for my attention. Bright white felucca sails stretched fully in confidence. The rich jungle green outlined the waterfront with a backdrop of sand hill in creamy café au lait. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kEgSLqgPOKdA1nzOmx76mGRDLHRyKsEra2J_7OXkVxIYD9memi6BDBX2K6mSdhAeD2vJ2DPebwT4ytMy-LBolZ7VTuyzCjDURaHYpeLvZYoOF7KY4pFg19_fSBSboH4iL08vPABiPeo/s320/58.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204437304951182722" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hfOiUkHgRDr-WVpnGN_1HXXCsm9G_xqJf4OQ4LOZ35TtMRlU8b7q8sfjRfpW6dHhBxhH3e21QUzHXT_bdB69nhvz_5Y09zdMHPVmTUSicy52dmC9093T_wqvTAUhGaga5MjEATkISL8/s320/59.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204421692745061682" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MeDe6fghUXqxOO2PSC0JxImPTP_YwdvH1iE-PH1YMRewOzLL0ACgvTmSO4IfxGej2jaJrIpT_Wju_SF5SlCvaOD8hASzi8eUabLaqEmOoAkrhfIh6O680DMJ7r4NIJW3rlseR1c0lOk/s320/60.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204415108560196898" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpUt9J5yo_9-yWo7tyj5Un1wjBaa8yNzDt7gxb60cdM23EmgShQSY7HETC5if9YbDCcjdLN4DPHyojAULAThINRaaVGryUnNsW1AW8esV7mwRp5rEhKuomoEGgssWuAJZn3iYpXHf_R0/s320/50.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204422624752964930" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nNrYoeSjOAP6AsNB6IIf7ZYOvT_aEeUulNioEWiBtE21vDBWowo2XUsjsmTRn4l-E0CJpq-JiL4SNdQUJRYtWl8IZ45MLtAQMaWejIVIVcHTE5v8n_HiugY0SOV4EEiAF1WZ2ouXVc8/s320/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204422796551656786" /></a><br /><br />At dusk, the sun graced the river again with its magnificent golden color, and the sky precipitated from pale blue to a real beautiful dark sapphire. The palm trees turned rusty green and their trunks subdued orange red. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnFofq69aWVIlS6S0Pgq6LM7bwNGKCuRNw5Wk-EiijyD-93qmUTLX98H1vCxGLCRSryOkJdnthz8ZSO8c6tvTl_ev905j37r7KDUZHnsdY5_7iZzUWPXof_qUDBKbcK9Fp_L9uBLZL6E/s320/56.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204440569126327698" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFENrFksSi-jsbNqs-z41bh3g0M013q3gT3CoWwKh5x698jsTRYzNObprG7IJgrt0BUvDX-ncyqyXsAOQK08FGbX6mlhidOW_cuoxuwuYbletV0Iz0Bsb1bQJRR91w1ywDml2LIAL9II/s320/57.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204414790732616978" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddrktaN_rEEQlQtwIQY1DbR_n91vMUiMT93gfxiaTXquZHpvbIhpkDsgD4aoscMkfOWeWeUdkaY2n73_1l1w1CKsHl47xbAuAtDf2CwJEVr50fKDup5Kl4FzTwYQ63y8h62auE4jiBCQ/s320/52.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204413373393409218" /></a><br /><br />I took a sunset felucca ride in Aswan. The winter tropical breeze was mild and pleasant, propelling the boat at a leisurely speed. Cruising the Nile was simply astonishing, even not in a basket or along with the logs carrying rocks for the pyramids. I think it’s something everyone should do once in his or her lifetime.das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-44403736167858662052008-05-18T14:56:00.000-07:002008-05-18T20:15:49.740-07:004.1 MET: En Train to Luxor, Part TwoOn the train to Luxor, there was a German family sitting behind me, parents with two boys who just loved the Rock-paper-scissors game. The funny thing is that when one boy played with his brother, he used German: Schere, Stein, Papier, while using French, pierre, papier, ciseaux, when he played with the dad. The dad, from Köln, said that French speaking boy lived in Belgium for a while, which accounted for his familiarity with the language. <br /><br />Later, I commented on the grand Kölner Dom, but the dad was somehow bitter about it. He complained about the Allied bombing during the war which practically razed the city saving the cathedral. He considered the city was at its best in the 80's when artists flourished, but now most of them had moved on to Berlin. Even my Muslim seatmate picked up a sense of bitterness. Luckily the train was approaching the destination, and the conversation was saved by the horn.das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-30725322765515506452008-05-18T14:49:00.000-07:002008-05-18T14:53:07.368-07:004.1 MET: En Train to Luxor, Part OneI took an overnight train to Luxor. I boarded the train in late evening at the Ramses station in central Cairo, and the train stopped briefly at Giza Station 30 minutes later. An attractive young Muslim lady got in and seated herself next to me. The First Class cabin I was in had seating like the business class on a plane. I was pretty beat after a long day, so fell asleep quickly after Giza. <br /><br />The train ride was smooth and pleasant. I didn’t wake up until we were about an hour away from Luxor. My seatmate also woke up, and we began socializing. <br /><br />Originally from Haram, or Giza, she was an endocrinologist working in Sinai. Still a medical degree candidate, she was traveling to Luxor for a medical conference after stopping by Cairo to see her folks. Her father was a diplomat but had already passed away, and her mom was a physician herself. Since her childhood, she had already traveled to most of the Arab world. <br /><br />Intrigued by her background, I asked her about her experience as a Muslim studying western medicine. She said that the US and European communities had advanced researches in medicine. Although she disagreed with western family values and foreign policies, one of the Egyptian ways was to adopt good things. Western medicine was a good thing. She had no problem studying it and had been to the US for medical conferences. That reminded me that the American fast food chain stores were ubiquitous in Cairo. The Egyptians may oppose America’s junk policy, but certainly enjoy its junk food.<br /><br />Feeling emboldened by her frankness and friendliness, I ventured an aggressive question: “Would you go if you were invited to an important conference on endocrinology in Tel Aviv?” Daughter to a diplomat, she said she would go to Belgium where the endocrinological research was most advanced. “Seriously”, she continued, “ I have to think about it if it’s in Israel”. In her opinion, the appearance of reconciliation between Egypt and Israel remained at a diplomatic and business level, and as for the public, there was still palpable tensions. Regular Egyptians still had problems with the state of Israel. <br /> <br />I noticed my seatmate covered her hair as many Muslim women I saw in Egypt, so asked her about this Islamic practice. She informed me that according to the Qu’ran, a woman needed to cover her hair, neck, and arms. If someone dressed up like a beekeeper, it was more a local and sect tradition, but was certainly not required by the Scriptures.<br /><br />Asking about my itinerary, she commented that although most people visiting Egypt wanted to see the ruins from ancient time, to her, an Egyptian, those legendary structures meant little as they were merely an evidence of pharaohs’ self grandeurs, and they had little to do with an average Egyptian, then or now. She appreciated more about the Islamic teaching about caring the people around you. Preaching or now, she sounded sincere.<br /><br />Obnoxiously persistent, I asked her about another Islamic practice: praying. When I was visiting the pyramids, I sat on a hill overlooking them and the modern city of Cairo waiting for sunset. Then the call for the sunset praying went on from probably thousands of high volume speakers all across Cairo. To me, it would be inconceivable for doctors to simply stop surgeries or soldiers to drop their weapons. She responded that she just prayed in her seat. She supposed that praying was not just a physical activity. If one could stop and pray, that’d be nice, but if one couldn’t, she thought, it was also fine as long as pray took place in one’s heart. The act of praying was independent from the actual behavior. <br /><br />Then she smile and said, she just prayed that I would have a safe trip in Egypt.das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-40621074740353524462008-05-18T10:21:00.000-07:002008-05-18T13:22:48.332-07:00友人の一日(第四回)BOOBYがアメリカで最下位というのを知った、日本では最下位から二番目を意味する。12AMがここで真夜中を意味する、でも日本では正午を意味する。私に語源を勉強するいい機会をくれるので、違いは興味深い。違いのために、まだ言葉を誤用する。das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-34882382337646657002008-05-16T00:20:00.000-07:002008-05-18T14:52:06.359-07:004.1 MET: Religious ReformersWhen Pharaoh Amenhotep IV and his feminist Great Royal Wife Nefertiti systematically destroyed the centuries-old worship of <span style="font-style:italic;">Amun </span>and other deities in ancient Egypt, they might have done so to consolidate power in the New Kingdom, or to legally rob the priesthood of its immense wealth, or simply to proclaim their preference for an obscure god called <span style="font-style:italic;">Aten</span>. Whatever their motivations, they seemed to do so for their personal benefits. With resistance from almost everyone plus a devastating pandemic, their reformation and royal reign was short-lived. <br /><br />Amenhotep IV, aka Akhenaten, might find his plaque in the Hall of Fame, but the Michael Jordon of religious reformers has to be Martin Luther. The lowly monk’s detest of papal sanctioned indulgences and renascent emphasis on a personal relationship with the divinity might have won some minds and hearts, but his IPO was far from spectacular. He was declared an outlaw of the state and excommunicated from the church. Protestant Inc. was de-listed. Yet, the ruling Germanic princes saw the real economical implication: less participation in the church meant more disposable and taxable income to the principalities. The financial gain was so great that the princes went to war for it, and for 30 years. Thus the ultimate rivalry of Coke and Pepsi was created. <br /><br />Since almost all religion founders are, in a sense, reformers, and vice versa, the success of a religion or a religious reformation hinges on its alignment with the interest of the ruling class, not necessarily of the actual ruler. King Henry VIII promoted the English reformation so that he could marry the woman he shacked up with, yet his successor disagreed so strongly that we named a cocktail after her commemorating her brutality. Although Constantine adopted Christianity after a few rapid eye moments, JC’s peaceful and Buddhistic preaching, a drastic departure from the violent and vengeful Judaic fables, actually worked well in helping stabilize the vast and heterogeneous empire of Rome. It should come with no surprise that it went on and became the most successful enterprise in the history of mankind.das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114834971262739261.post-46550033506546129052008-04-22T17:23:00.000-07:002008-04-24T22:20:52.149-07:004.1 MET: Egyptian Antiquities MuseumThe Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in Cairo seems at first lacking its uniqueness among other major museums in the world, many of which house an abundance of Egyptian sculptures, sarcophagi, mummies, and large murals. When I first stepped into the Egyptian Arts Department in the MET in New York years ago, I was met with two colossal seated pharaoh statues flanked by equally tall limestone walls, which temporarily made me feel spatially displaced as if I'd been all of sudden dropped in Egypt. The Louvre and the British Museum are also well stocked with Egyptians artifacts. So the first impression of the Cairo museum is somewhat of a <span style="font-style:italic;">déjà vu</span>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dDJM5t7tm2kSIvztUq6DwVQDBQVbZai9hrlVPCvADCPAUf0Lce4K-cZH_VnXASPHgbAvuHOTH1TuKTOfnoIeuTpv6lxowV_ZsN4lDi5TyVXYAfdHPpVvCfB-1yLcyqvSBme4IlA6Zlg/s320/07.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190384719797780354" /></a><br /><br />However, as I walked around the spacious galleries, the shear number of artifacts was simply overwhelming. Besides quantity, there were still many unique <span style="font-style:italic;">objets d’art</span> that weren’t on permanent loans to Western museums. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfsH8uIDazDhShdJtLp0hQkzAs6ItcP65oRQ_22ILuZFZfs-qcJTLm4x5rkUIb6ETictOhhuWmSfBUTamP-1u352cltksKb2LtSLGdtlC0QHVtxrbCfM5KcP2hZaWVxNdOp9gvmdMK2k/s320/08.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190384492164513650" /></a><br /><br />Colossal statues of Amenhotep III and his Royal Great Wife, Tiye, parents to the famous religion reformer Akhenaten, grantparents to yet more famous Tutankhamun. Statuettes of their three daughters stand by their feet, a tradition in ancient pharaohic monuments. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJsK-k_6OxnAIBPzZhCS2_gl3Hpun4t1Itu0xAIgHkaq4xLK3jSBAOFZE6OqoA7RhZtkTuw1u6roxhQyXhmokhZUGqzhdkceYyRhXU1XlvnyLM411dMJDMYL3h55ePDBDiGB0uBN9Zdc/s320/DSCN9697.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190384328955756386" /></a><br /><br />A pyramidion or pyramid capstone from Dahshur. Some believe that a capstone contains the information to allow the pyramid it caps to make contact with other universal systems in the chain of cosmology it arises from and reflects into the Infinite.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclLZ5xfscoIciT72s1lrRi47ygc6Xmb2roLZh0XEOIKc3vTKBJRqYPRoUEVnXqiAaop7tPclGQGKzB76zryef6-2dB5lXWtGooXuQDw0jF1oJR3sc-1L0Z27_U49vFu3rTuz3RmgflPw/s320/DSCN9708.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190382662508445522" /></a><br /><br />Egyptian hieroglyphs on the capstone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApZS-GaoiCJ-SCzzPlUHkqepFM6LLt1cO85K7cxrEzlxTmwpZ6gYjph0ObG1Tj7VZMJZTe_ww5oXsFtArPvF8MNKnBjlXzAOFYI1nOB-ToVS5o4nNOeWZP95RveeVzn0uzlW-syhY3CM/s320/DSCN9710.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190379213649706818" /></a><br /><br />The ancient Egyptians mummified almost everything. Some of the animals, like this mummified Crocodile, used to flourish in both Lower and Upper Egypt, but today they move south to the warmer heartland of Africa.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NbU9o6C9-YLSMKktcrD7oYk_dBe8T0I4hdllO9r_I50kdNEx51zfJ94086xVqKpXr0zhqQFP3UIQKJlW73jNBYwguqELOkj2_dcG3NDYYJxRhM51yzv7lpbRgZYL1FlzBB9b9rBIz3o/s320/DSCN9705.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190378788447944498" /></a><br /><br />Cats are sacred animals in ancient Egypt. The most famous cat goddesses are <span style="font-style:italic;">Bastet </span>and the lion headed <span style="font-style:italic;">Sekhmet</span>. On display are some mummified cats whose vertebrates and limbs were broken to fit the shrouds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5vHaGdVjyGJuCO27C7SpYRnG4vBj0V5ALbn6dyKNo6JB6eddfO0urbz4-_0-hxrfYvZ4scXcRg6HMqA8wz3rYEimqxb2U96o3P7eyTbV2O4i8UAPpqKKutmWFpynDAYeGDYelU6TpxU/s320/DSCN9707.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190378569404612386" /></a><br /><br />A mummified baby baboon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxemxOSW8V4JZNhWoMT4DG8H14Z5Ar6LlIm7WaIDqETMg2NjJ1E7LMfvzjuP3eKQTvN9guxasaP0K9GHgQoq_l94UejyeXcvToCxU7hgtxrWuDFpN7CO1wvyZiszcXdtYmR09P79UPkA/s320/DSCN9704.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190374703934045970" /></a><br /><br />Of course, the highlight for most visitors is Tut’s treasures, of which the most famed artifact is the Boy King’s gold mask. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXQPBnhi_CwlC8tTOvksmaxwBFwyw6j4WMA42Oy0MtkWdDdMoC3uTzW-kU2hdDCSqcS9LJ6oJ4EtLMpFByq-meMqKzfscDTLESsXFuaAYuyKPBytCiqAAA74zK7ZvC0Kgqkj-m4B5HWo/s320/DSCN9693.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190384990380720034" /></a><br /><br />Tutankhamun’s funerary bed in the form of ancient god, <span style="font-style:italic;">Mehet-Weret</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcBtPIUqmUYwO2IMBtkXKzqDG6gJVEGQGNDTpS97P-s3wVdpSbwDK0w1XvAxmjWPSkZeFFJ6cN03DNUyTzDgGZgc97shtx0S_CIqStw4aSwUxmjV7PwROOilY9q-214S46SbW7B1Jmok/s320/mehetweret11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192297505040572562" /></a><br /><br />Akhenaten, or originally Amenhotep IV, changed his name to pursue a monotheistic worship of <span style="font-style:italic;">Aten</span>. He and his world-famous chief wife Nefertiti even moved the capital away from Thebes (Luxor). The stunt was only reversed by his successor Tutankhaten or Tutankhamun, as he renamed himself later to resume his loyalty to <span style="font-style:italic;">Amun</span>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQy323F8hRrdRIMe-W_kHTi8VlF9pwGzwHTlJDVjumcSwoiLzNmCySXyTXn7uz2fjdl_XiK8zq7fEWKmtJrkMhJkJIR5euKKbBKWcDfE_rUydh6SOoh_E8iJLsIx6-L6f2nk5KaQaWVm0/s320/akhenaten.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192297320356978818" /></a><br /><br />The great Ramesses II, no longer 20 meters tall by Lake Nasser, lies quietly, humbly, and humanly in this air conditioned, humidity controlled, and shock absorbed glass case.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay3iGgsvfd5xhDDov6ljY-68A_nZmh1spl1z3xPJ_uJOZQlc4AHbsKRaclaBFLABkzIB55DE6aXbNLeNTPRsVlRXamKjmxdayZYO_dZWJecNkyGxo4mdPWFvcs04nnN14fCcyndDno84/s320/xinsrc_0020404111035781141439.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190385144999542706" /></a>das Blog d'Hiroizumihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564421462240044137noreply@blogger.com1