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| Laurenskerk Rotterdam |
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| The principal organ is the largest completely mechanical organ in Europe with over 7,600 organ pipes and 85 stops. (Taken from the info leaflet inside the church) |
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| Current Photo Exhibition of Other World Religions |
Semana Santa in Rotterdam: Visita Iglesia to the Laurenskerk
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Time for Asparagus
"Asparagus inspires gentle thoughts."
Charles Lamb
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Late in March this year, while doing our power walking, we passed by these covered rows in our village and instantly thought, Asparagus. They're cultivating asparagus in this area.We were quite surprised as we have not seen any asparagus cultivation in our place.
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After a month of absence, we continued our early morning walks passing now a colorful fields of rapeseeds and other green grains, young strawberry plants side by side with harvested fields now brown and waiting for new planting.
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Then we came nearer to the fields now full of workers, bending, lifting the covering sheets, and we know they're harvesting asparagus. In German it is called spargelstechen or to cut asparagus.
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The white and dark covering made of vinyl materials have two functions like that of the green house effect. If the weather is still very cold, the dark side is facing outside to keep the right temperature for the growth of the asparagus and white covering facing outside to avoid extreme hot temperature. When it gets hot, one says that asparagus get cooked.
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While taking shots of them from afar, this worker has been very friendly, waving to me as he notices that I've been taking photos of them or could he be saying No?
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The sequence of the hard work of harvesting asparagus: checking every row, lifting the cover and looking for the ones ready to be cut. Asparagus can grow up to 15 cms. per day from a humus, sand rich soil.
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The friendly, handsome worker is from Romania. The guest workers in this photo come from Romania. Most of the guest workers in Germany come from Poland and Romania, and they stay for at least three months working in the fields earning 6 to 7 Euro per hour. (I really hope they get that much payment for this back-breaking work.) Asparagus season lasts until about June 24 every year.
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Talking with them, I noticed that they understand more English than German as I started my questions in German but they readily answered when I started conversing in English. Didn't protest when I asked for permission for taking photos. Thank you very much for your kind approval.
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I asked if we could buy the freshly harvested ones but one worker answered that we get them from the bio-shop in the village. Here they are preparing to leave the fields to go back the next day for another spargelstechen. Somehow they reminded me of OFWs working somewhere in this world, staying away from the their families to earn a living.
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The white gold as served in local restaurants with pork chops, cutlets, scrambled eggs, ham and potatoes with cleared butter or Hollandaise sauce for prices ranging from 12 to 16 Euro for a plate with a half-kilo asparagus.
Charles Lamb
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| Freshly harvested asparagus-bio ones |
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| My first basketload of asparagus...just posing out of delight. |
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| One worker gave me his working knife to complete the ops for the photo. |
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Japan-Tag Düsseldorf, NRW 2014
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| A Japanese woman preparing for the Ikebana presentation in this booth |
Every year sometime in May, the State of North-Rhine Westphalia with the city of Düsseldorf together with the different companies, schools and initiatives of the local Japanese community in the city celebrates Japan Day along the river Rhine. It is a whole day program of Japanese culture ranging from its traditional music, games, martial arts, food, literature, paintings to the latest technical invention in the market. It is estimated that around 8.200 Japanese resides in Düsseldorf making it the third largest Japanese community following London and Paris.
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| Manga and anime fans |
From Japan am Rhein broschure of the Japantag-duesseldorf-nrw.de:
"Bereits zum 13. Mai veranstalten das Land NRW, die Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf und die japanische Gemeinde Düsseldorf den "Japan-Tag Düsseldorf/NRW". Die Partner möchten mit diesem Ereignis, das zu einer echten Tradition geworden ist, ihre enge Verbundenheit zum Ausdruck bringen. Anfangs bildeten wirtschaftlichen Kontakte die Basis für ständig wachsende Beziehungen zwischen Japan und Nordhein-Westfalen. Inzwischen entands in der Landeshauptstadt währen der vergangenen Jahrzente eine gut ausgebaute japanische Infrastruktur. Zahlreiche Bestandteile japanischer Kultur wie Music, Kunst, japanische Kampfkünste und japanische Gastronomie gehören in Düsseldorf mittlerweile zum täglichen Leben. Diese vielfältigen Möglichkeiten werden nicht nur von Japanern gern in Anspruch genommen."
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| Women trying on the Kimono |
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| Red Manga Sisters |
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| Learn how to make Origami |
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| Ikebana booth. Donation goes to the Frauenhaus of Düsseldorf |
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| Learning Go game |
Domo Arigato gozaimasu! Thank you very much for the photos and info. Mata aimasho!
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A Season of Strawberries
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| The strawberye is the wonder of all the fruites growing naturally in these partes. | (Sir W. Raleigh) |
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| And the wild boys innocent as strawberries. (Dylan Thomas) |
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| Like strawberry wives, that laid two or three great strawberries at the mouth of their pot, and all the rest were little ones. (Francis Bacon) | . |
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| And here I am about to capture you little red berries, all alone with a basket in my hand only. (Pinay von Alemanya) |
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| Is the price right? |
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| A friend commented soon as she saw my photos. Oh why they're so pale, are they the last harvest of the season? No dearie, I harvested them myself and the picking season has not yet fully started. |
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| One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste. (Johann Wolfgang Goethe) |
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| 500 gms of strawberries and 1000g of jam sugar cooked to a boiling point while stirring and give it another 3 minutes of bubbly boiling and ready is your strawberry, jammy and yummy. |
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| The finished product from harvesting to preserving. It only started from (power)walking. The rest of the berries I made salad with balsamic vinegar and went well with dinner of Punjabi samosas and tamarind sauce, ah! |
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Postings in August
Postings for August
*Something's wrong with the line. We're calling one institute and it says only Home for the Aged (that's how it is translated) and we have been trying now for the 6th time. HALLO, CAN'T HEAR YOU!
*Sunday Talks.
Me: (to KnP) Jerry Barican is gone. Do you remember Jerry Barican?
KnP: (Half asleep) Uhum...he was a KM or SDK? But very famous figure during the First Quarter Storm. (went back sleeping)
Me: and then?
KnP: zzzzz then he became a businessman? Tell me what happened to him.
Me: He became the spokeperson for Erap.
KnP: Oh, was he the one? He turned Erapist? (He went back to sleep.)
Me: Let's have brunch.
*Now, don't you demonize my diamond almonds.
*Okey, I speak English to a German train conductor...he (mostly he) won't bother to continue questioning my ticket, hehehe.
*"On this solemn day, I reiterate in the strongest possible terms that under international law, no one should be kept in secret detention. ... Enforced disappearance is a practice that cannot be tolerated in the 21st Century.” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
*And this: "Businesses’ confidence in the Philippine economy fell to its lowest since 2011 due to concerns over port congestion in Manila, higher commodity prices and political noise, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas." So ano ba talaga ang tutuo?
*Now, don't you demonize my diamond almonds.
*Blood is thicker than anything else.
*Let him go to the Philippines. He would be tolerated and loved there.
*Itadakimasu! TGIF, Thank Goodness, It's Fish (sashimi salmon) plus garlic, cucumbers and paprika flakes. A glass of Federweißer after the late lunch.
*Was having a cozy all by myself LatteMacc time when another Pinay came in and we had spontaneous talkings and kumustahan. Learned that she gets her monthly "Rente" (Pension) from her work plus her widow's pension. She wouldn't like to remarry as she might lose it, and it is bigger than her own work pension. Live-in, live in na lang basta may love at companionship.
*Out to get LatteMacc and salmon and flowers...in other words Palengke Woman muna, walking, too.
*He does the laundry and I do take care of the repair of the coffee maschine but ironing is still my turf.
*Me: (to KnP) Oh, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie married in France.
KnP: Das geht am m. A. vorbei!
Uuuups!
*Oh coffeemaker, if you're out of order, you're wrecking lives! Looking for authorized repair center in the city. Nakakarats!
*Morning Walk: Almost 11T steps, covering more than 6 Km for one hour and 20minutes
*There are always something old, classic in the aparador...why buy new ones?
*Walkingmate said it could be due to the present Russian food embargo that they're not harvesting
them.
*To see two moons tonight. Went outside...not even one moon is to be seen. Will wait or get up again in the middle of the night or keep drinking until witching hour.
*Rosy perspective for my home country...
*My dinner and the new vocabularies to add to Rotbarsch: Rotbarsch {m}
redfish [Sebastes marinus, syn.: Sebastes norvegicus]fish
ocean perch [Sebastes marinus/norvegicus]fish
rosefish [Sebastes marinus, syn.: Sebastes norvegicus]fish
red perch [Sebastes marinus, syn.: Sebastes norvegicus]fish
hemdurgan [Sebastes marinus, syn.: Sebastes norvegicus]fish
Norway haddock [Sebastes marinus, syn.: Sebastes norvegicus]fish
golden redfish [Sebastes marinus, syn.: Sebastes norvegicus]fish
*Filipiniana/Philippine Dance Group. We are looking for a cultural group who could perform Filipino (4 to 5) dances for a German/Philippine conference on October 18, Saturday in Essen. Please get in touch with me/inbox me for more information. Thanks!
*Sunny Day. Challenge is to have the guts to change sleeping gown to working clothes or house dress (pambahay) and, turn off computer and start domestic goddess' role. Yes, no, yes, no, yes.
*“Corruption, poverty and the patron-client nature of relations in the Philippines means that problems exist across all levels of society—not just in areas under conflict—with high levels of violent crime and kidnapping,” it said.
*Good Morningsaver. Coffeemaker is kaputt but I found three frozen pandisals. Enjoying them now with smoked cheese topped with delicious mango jam from the home country and normal coffee with milk. Sunny Wednesday!
*Do not forget. No to Pork Barrel!
*Pasalubong from Kraków, Poland: Kabanosy, Polish Dry Pork Sausage, a can of cookies, can of bonbons, a sack of rock salt and Zloty, Polish currency. Thank you!
*It's not just makigaya but knowing why one does it.
*Bicultural dialogue: (KnP while fixing the Toilettenbrille last night and saw that it is made in USA)
"For this shit, it has to be imported from the US? (This morning.) KnP: "Oh what a feeling to sit on US imperialism! Me: I'll get another one for the other bathroom.Good Morning!
German to go!
*Was in Bauhaus yesterday and was looking for a WC seat. I asked a woman cashier if they have Toilettenbrille. (Toilet (eye)glasses!) Cashier didn't get the word. (Her accent proved she is not a native speaker.) She gave me another word, Toilettendeckel. Good Morning, rainy Germoney!
*Watching full movies in Youtube: The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
*10T steps for 1 Hr + 17 mins, covering 6+ km this Monday morning. Ready for a hearty brunch in the village cafe. Sunny Germoney!
*Endearments: Returning to the nest, KnP said: "My antidepressant."
Me: "My Precious
KnP: "Smeagol."
(Was expecting that.) good morning FB World!
*First Federweißer for the year. Feder (feather), weiß (white), fermented freshly pressed grape juice known as must. Young wine. Known also as Sturm in Austria.
* Aysauce this weather, grey, wet, cold and windy. Tama na! Palitan na! Ayoko na rin ng champurado with fried fish. (Enough, Change it! I don't care for champurado with fried fish anymore.) Gusto ko kaya ng guinatan bilo-bilo!
*Good Morning! Ready to brunch.
*Quite a windy afternoon. Facebooking and hearing the sounds of falling apples in the garden bringing back good childhood memories of hearing the "kalabog" of mangoes on the roof of our house and next morning, we would be rushing to find them.
*Buon Ferragosto!
*SOS Bipstek! Planned to do a Tagalog/Pinoy Bipstek but it didn't turn out the way it should. I added chunks of pineapples to a portion and it became Hawaiiana stek. In fairness, the onion rings taste delicious. We called it B Bipstek and if you could guess rightly, then I treat you a real bipstek in my city.
*The second blooming of my self-supporting Royal rose plant. "Can't take my eyes off you."
*She was so attractive standing there waiting for the bus. Wearing designer's pants, jacket with a matching designer's bag and large dark sun glasses. We took the same bus and sat almost near to each other. Then I saw her removed her sun glasses lightly showing the black eye on the right side while she tried to wipe away her tears. Oh my, I was so tempted to talk to her but then came another passenger and sat between us. Whoever you are, sad woman, I wish you well.
*Pillow talk: Last night before hitting the hay. KnP has been long sleeping.
Me: Hey, did you read the news? (stirring him from sleep) They caught the berdugo, Palparan.
KnP: Ja.... Naja, to which hospital will he go now? (He continued sleeping.) Tjah.
*Super Moon on August 10, 2014 (7 photos)
Shooting the super moon with my simple camera...with full flash, auto and no flash. "The camera shooting the moon is not the moon."
*Passing by this tree this morning on my way to Gottesdienst. Soooo tempted to pick one or two apples.
*Coffeebreakers . Celebration, Gathering
*Raval Summer Fiesta. Summer Fiesta featuring the Filipino Community in Barcelona
*Have to show it to KnP, my own Datu now turned to Rajah Puti. He wiill like that portion: Bumile ka lang ng suka, naging champion ka na.
*Mist! I am reading the local papers saying Antonio Banderas was in the city yesterday together with other Hollywood musckies. Not interested in the other stars but for Banderas I would have waited for hours in front of the moviehouse. Imagine Antonio Banderas wrapped in tacos...from the imagination of Isabel Allende. Oh Zorro! (August 7, 2014)
*Even as we start with a beautiful, summery August, I pray for the end of war in Gaza. One feels so helpless with all the posted photos on the atrocities going on. Please stop the War! Peace!
*Blooming strips along fields to attract bees
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Film Recommendation: Madame Mallory und der Duft von Curry (One Hundred Foot Journey)
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| Info Source: Leseprobe & Rezepte zum Film vom Piper |
I remember the film starting with a handsome Indian boy holding a sea urchin in his hands, and instantly this scene brought me back to childhood memories when holidays were spent in the home of our grandparents who lived not so far from the shore of South China Sea. Excursions to the nearby shore gave us chance to catch sea urchins, open and taste them but I remember the little me not liking the raw taste of it.
It is a feel-good film. I love the images, can smell the spices and imagine how delicious the served food would be. The setting is also a wonderful village somewhere in France and not to forget the leading lady is no other than Queen Helen Mirren.
After watching the film, we were cravings for our samoosas and alou tikka but it was late in the evening to go to our favorite Indian resto in the city. So reaching home, I opened the freezer to defroze the samoosas I purchased a week before in an Indian shop. I thought they taste more delicious after watching the beautiful film on food culture, on family relationship, on clash of cultures and specially on spices. Go see it and feel good.
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| Samoosas eaten with tamarind sauce |
The Film: Madame Mallory und Der Duft von Curry.
Starring: Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon
Regie: Lasse Hallström
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Welcoming Helena Isabella
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| Children really brighten up a household - they never turn the lights off. (Rumi) Welcome! May you grow up in a world full of wonders and love. Cheers to our new warrior! |
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Golden October
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| Youth is like Spring, an ever-praised season more remarkable for biting winds than genial breezes. Autumn is the mellower season , and what we lose in flowers, we more than gain in fruits. Samuel Butler |
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| There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots maybe lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October. Nathaniel Hawthorne |
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| But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees. C. S. Lewis |
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| Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. George Eliot |
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| All things on earth point home in old October: sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hound, the lover to the love he has forsaken. Thomas Wolfe |
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Happy Hallowfeen!
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| Little Cute Witch telling you Treat or Trick? (Photo: Laurice Ylen Romero) |
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| Philippine Delicacies.Kakanin. Rice Cakes in Different Versions |
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| Sinukmani, Biko, Kakanin. Mit Latik or coconut flakes |
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| Biko. Dark Rice Cake with Ube Flavour and coconut flakes |
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| Tupig. Wrapped sticky rice with coconut and then roasted |
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| Suman. Rice cake wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed. |
Suman anyone?
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Film Evening. Watching PRIDE
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| Director: Matthew Warchus. Writer: Stephen Beresford |
It is an entertaining but inspiring film based on the story of the miners in the Dulais Valley in South Wales during the longest strike in British history from 1984-1985 which get support in form of money donation for the miner's cause from the LGSM, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.
Storyline from imdb.com
In 1984 20 year old closet gay Joe hesitantly arrives in London from Bromley for his first Gay Pride march and is taken under the collective wing of a group of gay men and Lesbian Steph, who meet at flamboyant Jonathan and his Welsh partner Gethin's Soho bookshop. Not only are gays being threatened by Thatcher but the miners are on strike in response to her pit closures and Northern Irish activist Mark Ashton believes gays and miners should show solidarity. Almost by accident a mini-bus full of gays find themselves in the Welsh village of Onllwyn in the Dulais valley and through their sincere fund raising and Jonathan's nifty disco moves persuade most of the community that they are on the same side. When a bigot tries to sabotage the partnership with a tabloid smear Mark turns it back on her with a hugely successful benefit concert to which most of the villagers, now thoroughly in tune with their gay friends, turn up. The miners are defeated and return to work but at the Pride march ..
From the German film leaflet. "So auch die außergewöhnliche Liason zweier Gruppen, die sich im Sommer 1984 in England gefunden haben: Bronski Beat trifft Gaelic Folk oder auch...eine ausgelassene Schwulen-und Lesbentruppe aus London trifft auf streikende Waliser Bergarbeirter. Irritationen beim ersten Aufeinandertreffen sind vorprogrammiert!...
It is a touching film showing that solidarity is possible despite Angst and difference. It is inspiring to be reminded of these courageous individuals who were demonstrating not only for their immediate concerns but joining others' fight for equality and respect. Couldn't help but cry in some scenes while laughing my heart out, too. Go and see the film. It's a beautiful film. It makes you yearn to join the next demo.
Pinay von Alemanya
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Commemoration for the First Year of Haiyan (Yolanda)
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| Babaylan Germany launched Hope for the Philippines in November 2013 |
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God of Life. We thank you for the signs of your light in the midst of our darkness. May we be signs of your compassion in the heart of your world. Amen. |
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| A prayer through a song |
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| Sharing of experiences of volunteers in the Philippines |
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| Sharing updates on the situation and result of Hope for the Philippines fundraising campaign through UNICEF Germany and German Red Cross (DRK) |
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| Photo op after the serious part of commemoration program |
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Call for Justice for Maguindanao (Ampatuan) Massacre of November 23, 2009
The Philippine authorities are running out of time to ensure that their response to the Maguindanao massacre does not become a mockery of justice, Amnesty International said on the fifth anniversary of what is often called the world’s largest-ever single attack on journalists.
On 23 November 2009, 58 people, including 32 journalists and other media workers, were killed when an election convoy came under attack by more than 100 armed men, allegedly including members of the police and the military. The convoy had been travelling in the southern province of Maguindanao, through the territory of the powerful Ampatuan clan.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Five years after the Maguindanao massacre, the cases are still inching through the Philippine court system and not a single person has been held to account,” said Hazel Galang-Folli, Amnesty International’s Philippines Researcher.
Almost half the 197 suspects for whom arrest warrants have been issued since the massacre remain at large. Meanwhile, no prosecution has been concluded, nor has any perpetrator been convicted.
Trials in the civil and criminal cases are ongoing at a Quezon City Regional Trial Court. However, there have been several delays and setbacks and most of the court proceedings have been bail hearings. The families of the victims have also called on the National Police Commission to dismiss police officers allegedly involved in the assault, but it remains to be seen how these demands will be dealt with.
Witnesses to the massacre and their families have faced attacks and killings since the massacre, highlighting a lack of government protection. Just this week yet another prospective witness was killed in an ambush in Maguindanao province. At least eight witnesses and their family members have been killed in such attacks since November 2009. No one is known to have been held accountable for these killings either.
“Each killing of a witness creates a fresh injustice while reducing the chances of justice being served for the families of the victims of this horrific massacre. This is particularly true in a country like the Philippines where court cases have traditionally relied heavily on witness testimony,” said Hazel Galang-Folli.
“The Philippine authorities must get their act together and ensure that accountability for this horrific massacre is given high priority and enough resources.”
Dennis Sakal and Butch Saudagal, both of whom were expected to testify against the primary suspects in the massacre were gunned down by unidentified men in Maguindanao on 18 November 2014, killing the former.
Alijol Ampatuan, who according to prosecutors was willing to identify perpetrators, was shot at close range in February 2012. Esmail Amil Enog, who testified in court that he had been a driver for gunmen implicated in the massacre, was found chain-sawed into pieces after disappearing in May 2012.
Region Asia And The Pacific
For further information, contact International Press Office »
http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/philippines-five-years-justice-maguindanao-massacre-can-t-wait-2014-11-23
For more information please read: www.amnesty.orgmaguindanao massacre
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November 25, Reclaim the Night 2014. Wir Fordern die Nacht Zurück!
I found one piece of paper with interesting verses which I am retyping below. Author is not known.
"Hausarbeit verweigern, Männer putzt das Klo! Für den Feminismus sowieso!
Lasst es glitzern, lasst es krachen - Macker ham heut nix zu lachen! HAHAHA
Gegen Sexismus in jeder Gestalt - keine Toleranz der Männergewalt!
However I dress, wherever I go, yes means yes, no means no!
Friedlich oder Militant - wichtig ist der Widerstand!
Bullen, Macker, Patriarchat - wir haben euch zum kotzen satt!
Tanzen, tanzen, tanzen - wir sind Emanzen!
Feuer und Flamme dem Patriarchat! Kampf dem Sexismus in Alltag und Staat!
Lesben, Inter, Trans und Frauen - können auf die Fresse hauen!
Mackertum, könnt ihr Euch schenken - gegen euer Rollendenken!
Zwingt die Macker in die Knie - Feminismus, Anarchie!
Kondome, Spirale - Linksradikale!
Mein Körper gehört mir! Mein Körper gehört mir! Mein Körper gehört mir!
Sexismus keine Chance geben - für ein selbstbestimmtes Leben!
We are here and we will fight! Abortion is a human right!"
(Author unknown)
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Visits to Christmas Markets
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| Weihnachtsmarkt-Domplatz in Köln |
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| Weihnachtsmarkt - Osnabrück |
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| Weihnachtsmarkt-Münster |
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Christmas Eve Celebration in Germany
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| Sending of Christmas greetings through social networkings. Merry Christmas from the Little Warrior. |
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| Traditional Christmas Eve dinner is taken at the normal dinner time unlike in some countries like the Philippines when they have Noche Buena in the middle of the night inviting friends and other clan members. In Germany, it is shared normally by the so-called nuclear family, the parents and their children. Other family or clan members can come for a visit on the first or second day of Christmas so with invited friends. For this dinner, it starts with hot and delicious pumpkin soup. |
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| To eat goose, turkey or beef? To settle the question, the hostess decides for something wild-Rehragout, venison gulasch. Soft meat, a bit spicy, and one is comforted with the thought that the meat is not full of antibiotics. Well... |
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| To go with the Rehragout, Spätzle is served. Spätzle is a soft egg noodle or dumpling popular in Southern Germany. |
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| Salad is never lacking. As photo shows, it is tomato and rucola combination. |
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| Pears in red wine accompany the wild meat. |
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| Red cabbage with apples as side dish. |
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| For dessert, the dear hostess surprises us with her perfect mousse au chocolat. |
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| The tempting combination of dark and white chocolate served with raspberry. |
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| Christmas Eve means for many kids "Bescherung." This is the handing out of Christmas presents from their parents to the kids and how many gifts are handed out for each child. Kids start to play doctor ready to treat patients with the toy First Aid Kit. |
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| The little girl needs coaching to complete her Christmas song. |
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| She is so fascinated by the first-aid kit present and willingly poses for a photo. How charming! |
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Rosenmontag 2015
Get a short impression of the huge Rosenmontag parade with this Rosenmontag video.
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Remembering Childhood. Easter Sunday and the Salubong Procession (In Filipino)
Mga Yapak na Angel
Mga angel kami pagdating ng Kwaresma at buwan ng Mayo para sa Alay. May mahabang puting damit ako na tinahi ng aking ina. Ang disenyo ay kinuha sa isang istampita. Ang aking mga pakpak ay yari sa puting karto na dinikitan ng mga balahibong galing sa mga bibe ng kapitbahay. May halong din mga bulak na ginagamit din naming parang snow sa aming Christmas tree.
Ilang taon din akong naging angel. Pagtinitignan ko yun aming mga lumang litrato, isa akong matabang angel na may buhok mais. Sabi ng nanay ko, ako daw ay isang malaking bulas na bata, anak daw ng German na nagdonate ng dugo sa aking ina bago ako lumabas sa dulo ng damo, ang paliwanag sa amin kung nasaan kami nuong panahon ng Hapon. „Wala pa kayo sa dulo ng damo, hindi pa ninyo alam yun.“ Tapos ang paliwanag sa mga iba pang tanong.
Masayang maging angel sa buwan ng Mayo. Siyempre may kainan, hindi matagal ang dasalan at masaya ang prusisyon. Taon-taon, may imported na reyna ng mga angel na aming kasama sa prusisyon na umiikot sa Canlubang na magtatapos sa isang kubol na kung saan nila iaalay ang mga bulaklak. At pagkatapos ay litratohang aking kinakatakutan dahil sa mga flashbulbs na akala ko ay nagtatalsikan kaya ako ay nagtatago pag oras na ng litratohan. Ang nakakainis lang, hindi kami nakakakain at iniuwi agad kami ng aming nanay. Paghatid niya sa aming magkapatid na angel, babalik naman siya sa handaan samantalang kami ay sandwich lang.
Sa araw ng Biyernes Santo ang simula ng aming kalbaryo. Papaakyat kami sa simbahan nang makita ko yun mga kaklase kong mga lalake, nagpapadausdos sila sa mataas na ground ng simbahan. Kantiyaw ni Domingo T. „Sige nga, lipad ka.” Bibilisan ko na lang ang pagpasok sa simbahan para di madinig ang kanilang mga kantiyaw at makasama pa yun ibang mga angel. Kung gaano kaming katagal sa loob ng simbahan ay di ko na alam; may mga natutulog na anghel, may mga pinapaypayan hanggang sa matapos ang seremonya. Isang tambak na mga angel na may mga kartong pakpak maglalakad kasama sa gabing prusisyon. At kung medyo napapagod na ang mga angel o inaantok, may magsusubo sa amin ng kendi para mawala ang antok at pagod. Wala naman kainan pagkatapos ng prusisyon. Wala rin sandwich. Uwian na lang.
Madami din naman ang aking childhood happening na aking natatandaan. Naandiyang pasayawin kami sa Casa de Nipa minsang nagbirthday si Mr. Jose Yulo. At tandang tanda ko rin na ako ay nagtago sa mga halamanan pagkatapos ng aming sayaw sa takot na litratohan ng may flashbulbs. Nakita lang yata ako ng teacher naming sa Kindergarten kaya nakaladkad ako para kuhanan ng litrato.
Nandiyang kuhanin akong flower girl sa mga kasalan pero mukhang yun mga kasal na naging flower girl ako, nagkahiwalayan yata yun mga mag-aasawa. Wala din akong nakuhang souvenir na litrato.
Panahon na uli ng kwaresma. Ewan ko lang bakit wala kaming eksena pag Pasko. Naisip ko lang ngayon na baka kasi isang angel lang ang kailangan para pandikit duon sa taas ng belen.
Linggo ng Pagkabuhay ang pinakahihintay naming mga angel at ang Salubong na kung saan yun prusisyo ay nahahati para sa mga kababaihan na kasama ang nagluluksang Mahal na Birhen at ang mga kalalakihan naman’y kasama ang Mahal na Hesus na nabuhay. Magsasalubong ang prusisyon duon sa tinatawag na Galilea, isang mataas na struktura na may mga palaspas at disenyong bituin at alapaap. Sa ilalim nito magaganap ang salubong.
Kumakanta na kami mga angel ng Regina Coeli Laetare, Alleluia at nagsasabog ng mga bulaklak sa birhen habang pinapanood namin ang pagbubukas ng “langit” at mga naglalaglagan mga bulaklak at pagbaba ng magandang angel.
Pero walang lumabas na angel kundi narinig naming ang iyak na ayaw niyang bumaba. Iyak pa siya ng iyak nang marinig namin ang salitang kumuha ng isang angel duon sa nakapaligid sa Mahal na Birhen. Karipasan ng takbo kaming mga angel pero nahuli ako ni Mrs. Lorenzo at sabi „be an obedient child, Babylou.“ Ang sabi ko na tandang tanda ko pa hangga ngayon, „wala po akong panty.“
Siyempre di naman tutuo kaya ayun inakyat ako duon sa Galilea para maging Plan B kung sabihin natin ngayon. Habang iyak pa ng iyak tong angel na si Sylvia, ako nama’y tinalian na ni Mang Monico para ibaba . Ilan yata silang mga lalaki nagtulongtulong sa pagbuhat sa matabang angel. Inay, ang taas at sumigaw din ako ng ayoko!
Bumitin ako duon sa tali at para si Jane akong sumisigaw ng ayoko habang umiikot ako duon sa rebulto ng birhen. Nakita ko din si Father Latorre at sumigaw sa akin na kuhanin mo ang belo!
Naisip ko din na walang mangyayari kaya dapat tapusin na ang drama. Kinuha ko ang belo ng Birhen at pagkatapos nuon, ako’y hinilang pataas sa Galilea. Kantahan sila ulit ng Alleluia, nakatawa na din yun ibang mga angel at natapos din ang salubong.
Isang magandang alaala sa panahon ng kwaresma. Yun kay Hudas, ibang storya na lang.
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Spring Again!
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| A host of golden daffodils |
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| The first sign of sunshine and parks are overpopulated. |
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| Street leading to the Frauenmuseum in Bonn |
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| Frauemmuseum in Bonn |
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| Too early yet for the full blooming |
O HEART of Spring!
by John Shaw Neilson
Spirit of light and love and joyous day,
So soon to faint beneath the fiery Summer:
Still smiles the Earth, eager for thee alway:
Welcome art thou, soever short thy stay,
Thou bold, thou blithe newcomer!
Whither, O whither this thy journeying,
O heart of Spring?
O heart of Spring!
After the stormy days of Winter’s reign,
When the keen winds their last lament are sighing,
The Sun shall raise thee up to life again:
In thy dim death thou shalt not suffer pain:
Surely thou dost not fear this quiet dying?
Whither, O whither this thy journeying,
O heart of Spring?
O heart of Spring!
Youth’s emblem, ancient and unchanging light,
Uncomprehended, unconsumed, still burning:
Oh that we could, as thou, rise from the night
To find a world of blossoms lilac-white,
And long-winged swallows unafraid returning…
Whither, O whither this thy journeying,
O heart of Spring?
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Cultural Calendar in Germany
UST Singers in Germany
Sharing one link for the performance of UST, University of Santo Tomas Singers in Germany.
Erstmals in St. Blasien: Universitäts – Chor aus Manila
Am Samstag, 18. Juli, 2015 Uhr gastiert im Dom von St. Blasien erstmals der berühmte Universitäts – Chor
„University of Santo Tomas Singers“ aus Manila, Philippinen
Die UST Singers, gegründet 1992, sind Studenten verschiedener Fakultäten der Päpstlichen und Königlichen University of Santa Tomas, Manila (älteste Universität Asiens). Unter der Leitung von Prof. Fidel Calalang jr., Chorleiter, Pianist, Arrangeur und Sänger, erfuhr der Chor eine beispiellose internationale Anerkennung als einer der besten Chöre der Welt.
Insgesamt 24 Konzerttourneen führten den Chor in über 35 Länder Europas, Amerikas und Asiens. In zahlreichen internationalen Wettbewerben konnte er große Erfolge erzielen:
Seit 1993 gewann der Chor über 80 Hauptpreise auf 23 internationalen Wettbewerben in Italien, Frankreich, Spanien, Deutschland, Polen, Österreich Tschechien, Niederlande und Wales. Bei dem ältesten und renommiertesten Chorwettbewerb, in Llangollen, Wales, erreichte er zweimal den Titel „Choir of the World“, die sogenannte Pavarotti-Trophäe, was noch keinem Chor zuvor gelungen ist.
Der hohe Standard des Chores führte zu zahlreichen Einladungen von internationalen Chorfestivals und berühmten Persönlichkeiten. So sang er für Päpste, Staatspräsidenten, Pavarotti, bei der Shanghai World Expo 2010 und in der Eric Ericsson Hall in Stockholm.
Das Repertoire beinhaltet eine bezaubernde Vielfalt von geistlicher und weltlicher Chormusik aus allen Epochen bis hin zu zeitgenössischen Kompositionen. Glanzlichter setzen vom Chorleiter selbst arrangierte Lieder exotischer philippinischer Folklore und erstaunliche Arrangements von Standards aus Gospel, Pop und Musical. Alles wird auswendig vorgetragen in königlichen Gewändern und in wechselnden Formationen.
In St. Blasien erklingen Kompositionen von Corona, Pastor, Rutter, Miskinis, Hogan, Gjeilo und Calalang jr.
http://www.domkonzerte-stblasien.de/_dbe,dates,_auto_3354409,l-en.xhtml
Sharing one link for the performance of UST, University of Santo Tomas Singers in Germany.
Erstmals in St. Blasien: Universitäts – Chor aus Manila
Am Samstag, 18. Juli, 2015 Uhr gastiert im Dom von St. Blasien erstmals der berühmte Universitäts – Chor
„University of Santo Tomas Singers“ aus Manila, Philippinen
Die UST Singers, gegründet 1992, sind Studenten verschiedener Fakultäten der Päpstlichen und Königlichen University of Santa Tomas, Manila (älteste Universität Asiens). Unter der Leitung von Prof. Fidel Calalang jr., Chorleiter, Pianist, Arrangeur und Sänger, erfuhr der Chor eine beispiellose internationale Anerkennung als einer der besten Chöre der Welt.
Insgesamt 24 Konzerttourneen führten den Chor in über 35 Länder Europas, Amerikas und Asiens. In zahlreichen internationalen Wettbewerben konnte er große Erfolge erzielen:
Seit 1993 gewann der Chor über 80 Hauptpreise auf 23 internationalen Wettbewerben in Italien, Frankreich, Spanien, Deutschland, Polen, Österreich Tschechien, Niederlande und Wales. Bei dem ältesten und renommiertesten Chorwettbewerb, in Llangollen, Wales, erreichte er zweimal den Titel „Choir of the World“, die sogenannte Pavarotti-Trophäe, was noch keinem Chor zuvor gelungen ist.
Der hohe Standard des Chores führte zu zahlreichen Einladungen von internationalen Chorfestivals und berühmten Persönlichkeiten. So sang er für Päpste, Staatspräsidenten, Pavarotti, bei der Shanghai World Expo 2010 und in der Eric Ericsson Hall in Stockholm.
Das Repertoire beinhaltet eine bezaubernde Vielfalt von geistlicher und weltlicher Chormusik aus allen Epochen bis hin zu zeitgenössischen Kompositionen. Glanzlichter setzen vom Chorleiter selbst arrangierte Lieder exotischer philippinischer Folklore und erstaunliche Arrangements von Standards aus Gospel, Pop und Musical. Alles wird auswendig vorgetragen in königlichen Gewändern und in wechselnden Formationen.
In St. Blasien erklingen Kompositionen von Corona, Pastor, Rutter, Miskinis, Hogan, Gjeilo und Calalang jr.
http://www.domkonzerte-stblasien.de/_dbe,dates,_auto_3354409,l-en.xhtml
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40. Frechener Töpfermarkt (Potters' Market)
Töpfermarkt 2015
Potters‘ Market 2015
Good timing for this year's Mother’s Day is the yearly Potters‘ Market (Töpfermarkt 2015) on May 9 and 10 in Frechen City.There are about 130 ceramic artists and craft potters coming from Germany and other European countries presenting
their creations from decorative vases to functional but attractive kitchen and dining wares. Loyal visitors and new guests to this 40th Pottery Exhibition and Market get to know the wonder world of ceramics visiting stands and tents presenting works in modern sculpture, jewelries, water pipes, wind chimes, frames, soap and candle holders, animal figurines and other beautiful creations.Do not miss it. Bring the whole family and spend some time appreciating and supporting the works of the participating ceramic artists and craft potters. Just hope weather will be very cooperative for your visit and for the potters.
Happy Mother's Day!
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Alles neu macht der Mai
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| May means revisiting cherished friends' nest and their rhododendron blooming for brunch and asparagus dinner |
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| Lunch with former neighbors who made us feel so cherished preparing our favorite German potato salad |
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| White wine to go with our German-Italian lunch |
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| Seeing again the house and the street lined with blooming chestnut trees |
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| Lilo prepared the butter so artistically, I didn't want to touch it. |
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| Lilo's own dessert-cream with blueberries and toasted almonds |
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| May is month of Maibowle |
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| Looking at this shop while enjoying our Maibowle and beer |
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| Ludwig Windthorst (17 January 1812 – 14 March 1891) |
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| Osnabrücker Rad - the logo of the city |
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| Hase river |
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| A little Madness in the Spring, is wholesome even for the King. (Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886) |
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| Give me the splendid silent sun with all his beams full-dazzling. Walt Whitman 1819-1892 |
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| Another city to visit in May for Reibekuchen, May in Münster |
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| May for strawberries |
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| to match asparagus, white or green |
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| cherries for dessert |
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| or the Rhododendron with dry sherry before dinner |
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| Dinner of golden asparagus to match the young potatoes of Spring cooked with love by Rolf and Heike |
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| Two towers, rotating telling the story of the battle of the Germanen and the Romer |
So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green
O, and then did I unto my true love say,
Sweet Peg, thous shalt be my Summer's Queen.
The Merry Month of May by Thomas Dekker (c.1572-1632)
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June is for Championship League
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| June is for Messi |
"So now, you know what's at stake tonight," he finished his sporty lecture touching on these and those football clubs which may qualify for the games. My response: I really don't care. I only want to see cute football players." End of lecture. The rest is history.
3 to 1 against Juventus Turin. (And my heart bleeds for Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon but they remain in the list of my champion league.)
Congratulations FC Barcelona, Barça "Mes que un Club" (Catalan word which means more than a club). May you keep your aspiration to be the best ambassador for sport in Catalonia, Spain and to be seen as a defender of human rights and democratic freedom. Real Champions!
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City Tour - Münster
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| Human Chain at the Prinzipalmarkt to St. Lambertikirche protesting about the tightening of Asylum laws |
Asylgesetz kippen
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| Stop the Tightening of Asylum Laws |
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| The historical Marktcafé and the Cathedral with the public market |
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| Enjoying coffee and the view of the weekend market at the Cathedral Square (Domplatz) |
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| This is one of the reasons why I always go back to the market of this city - the Reibekuchen (potato pancake with apple sauce) |
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| Prinzipalmarkt - principal marketplace of Münster |
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| Gymnasium Paulinum - founded around 797 and claimed to be the oldest school in Germany (wiki) |
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| The old building of Kollegium Heerde - an Internat (boarding house) for boys |
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| Giant Pool Balls sculpture von Claes Oldenburg at Aasee Park |
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| Aasee, the lake in Münster |
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Back to Blogging on Easter Monday
and be completely clear-hearted
like the face of a mirror
that contains no images.
Rumi
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New Moon in the New Year
Du Schneeblume - you, snow flower.
Image is taken from a book a friend Gisela from Berlin was showing to me.
Have to ask her again for the complete title of this book - ways how to use
alternative "F" words beautifully.
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More Pages to Explore .....
