Despite most people’s impression of bullfighting as being unique to the whitewashed villages of Andalusia and Costa Blanca, Madrid is a great place to see a bullfight.

Madrid and Andalusia are the dual epicenters of bullfighting in Spain. Madrid is one of the best places to see a bullfight in Spain – it attracts less tourists and more real aficionados then some of the bullfights in Andalusia.

There are 2 bullrings in Madrid – Vista Alegre and Las Ventas. Las Ventas, with a capacity of 20,000 is the more important of the two and is where the majority of the fights take place. It is also more central than Vista Alegre, which is used more now as a concert and sports venue.
Bullfights are every Sunday at 7pm from mid-May (during the San Isidro festival) until October.

Other Ticket Offices

* La Taurina. Pasaje Matheu. Tel: 91 522 9216
* Galicia. Plaza del Carmen, 1. Tel: 91 531 27 32
* Plaza de Las Ventas. Alcalà, 237. Tel: 91 356 22 00
* Teyci. Goya, 7. Pasaje Comercial Carlos III. Tel: 91 576 45 32
* Localid. Parking Pza. de Santo Domingo. Tel: 91 559 50 28
* El Corte Inglés. Tel: 902 400 222

For 3 weeks in late May and early June is the Festival de San Isidro, where there are fights on every day. Some of the best fighters will be in town at this time, so think about booking ahead for these bullfights.
Madrid’s main bullring is called La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas del Espíritu Santo, or more simply,  Las Ventas (Alcalá street, Metro: Las Ventas). Built in mudejan style, this impressive building is formed of red brick and ceramic tiles. The construction, designed by José Espelius and Muñóz Monasterio, was terminated in 1929, although the ring itself wasn’t inaugurated until 1931. Today the ring is also used for rock concerts and political meetings.

San Isidro

The best time to see bullfights in Madrid is during the months of May and June. The world famous San Isidro bullfight festival takes place during these months and brings together the best fighters, bulls and aficionados. There are fights every day for 20 days, starting at 7 o’clock in the evening. The festival includes a variety of different fights, with novillos (young bulls), rejones (bullfights on horseback) and Goyesca fights (in period costume).

14 Muharram 94 H
Samarkand – Andalusia

Untukmu Aisyah binti Ziyad

Assalamu alaikum wahai adinda Aisyah*, apa kabar dengan ayah dan keluargamu di sana, dan sampaikan salam ku kepada ayahanda bila kau bertemu dengannya. Dan kabar kan abu baik – baik saja disini.  Maaf kalau aku tak bisa mengutarakannya langsung kepadamu dan maaf bila caranya harus seperti ini… dan hari ini aku memberanikan diriku mengabarkan berita kepadamu.

Setelah penaklukan Samarkand, ananda di minta oleh kalifah untuk menjadi amir di wilayah Samarkand, ananda mendapat tugas mulia untuk menyebarkan agama Islam disini, dengan kejujuran, keteladanan, dan kearifan. Dan menjaga wilayah taklukan dari serangan musuh – musuh Islam. Ananda tidak diperkenankan untuk pulang kembali ke Kufah.

Ananda di minta untuk membangun wilayah Samarkan yang telah hancur oleh peperangan dan mendirikan pemerintahan disini untuk memperkuat daerah taklukan dan membangun masyarakat muslim disini, apa lagi ananda mendengar bahwa setalah penaklukan, khalifah akan memimpin pasukan untuk menyerbu masuk ke wilayah kekuasaan raja Frank.

Aisyah aku harus katakan kepadamu bahwa aku harus menikah dengan seorang putri raja disini, aku pun tak bisa menolaknya, ketika Samarkand telah jatuh ke tangan kaum muslimin, keluarga kerajaan musuh menjadi tawanan dalam peperangan, atas nasihat dan pendapat paman ananda Qutaibah bin Muslim**, ananda bermaksud untuk menikahi salah satu putri raja Fernidand* disini.

Paman ananda berpendapat bahwa penaklukan militer juga harus didukung dengan penaklukan secara budaya dan ekonomi, dan ananda di minta untuk menikahinya dengan harapan, rakyat Samarkand dapat di taklukan melalui pendekatan pernikahan, dan ini juga akan meleburkan orang – orang arab untuk menikahi gadis – gadis Samarkand.

Aisyah dalam lubuh hatiku, aku katakan kepadamu, bahwa cinta ku kepadamu tak kan surut oleh waktu, tak kan lekang oleh jaman, aku mencintaimu Aisyah, tapi aku pun juga harus menjalankan permintaan untuk menikahi putri raja untuk kebaikan agama. Aisyah telah ku sampaikan kepada air yang mengalir betapa dalam perjalanan dan peperangan ini aku begitu merindukanmu dan telah ku sampaikan kepada mentari, betapa cinta ini membakar jiwa dan hatiku dalam ketulusan dan kesabaran untuk dapat bersatu dan bertemu denganmu lagi

Ku kirimkan syair cintaku untukmu …

Debu – debu yang terbang di antara kaki – kaki kuda
Pedang yang terhunus dalam kesetiaan
Kuda – kuda yang berlari menerjang
Panah – panah yang menancap di dada

Aku yang berperang untuk kemuliaan agama
Dalam kehormatan sebagai seorang perajurit perang
Dalam kerinduanku sebagai seorang lelaki
Untuk kembali pulang demi kekasih yang ku cintai …

Tapi apa yang terjadi
Mentari tak kan terbit di barat
Malam pun takkan panas oleh sinar sang bulan
Cinta ku di bawa lari oleh sang rindu – rindu malam

Aku percaya atas takdir percintaan
Dan kini aku percaya cinta tak penting dalam bayangan
Cinta yang tulus akan ada di dalam kenangan
Dalam perjalanan Kufah dan Samarkand

Adinda Aisyah walau aku akan menikah di sini, percayalah di hatiku hanya kamu perempuan yang ku cintai, demi agamaku dan demi ayah bundaku, kelak kita kan bertemu lagi Aisyah. Bila surat ini telah sampai kepadamu, maka maafkan lah aku yang tidak menunggu jawabanmu dari suratku ini, karena setelah aku menulis surat ini kepadamu, tak lama lagi aku telah resmi menikah dengannya. Dan semoga kau pun mendapatkan lelaki pujaan hatimu. Dan aku akan selalu berdoa untuk yang terbaik untukmu.

Aisyah, insya Allah kelak aku kan kembali ke Kufah untuk mengunjungimu …

Wassalamu alaikum
Abula bin Awwalid
——————————————————–

7  Shafar  95 H
Kufah  –  Iraq

Untukmu Ananda tercinta Abula bin Awwalid

Assalamu alaikum Abu*, semoga engkau selalu di lindungi Allah dalam setiap langkah kakimu, aku yang disini yang selalu menunggu pagi datang, aku yang selalu merindukan bila malam telah datang, bila khafilah dari syam datang aku yang selalu mencari kabar tentangmu, tentang peperangan yang terjadi di sana, aku yang selalu dalam kecemasan dan kerindukan yang mencekam untuk selalu dalam sujudku untuk selalu berdoa untukmu, wahai pujaan hati yang merindukan kemuliaan dan mati syahid.

Wahai ananda Abu, telah sampai kepadaku tentang kabar tentangmu sebelum surat ini sampai di tanganku, kini aku membaca suratmu yang telah sampai kepadaku, adinda tak percaya, dan tak menyangka, kini adinda hanya menangis tak percaya, telah jatuh air mata ini, air mata kerinduan ku kepada ananda, air mata yang tak kan pernah berubah menjadi kebahagiaan, tapi jatuh berderai atas kesedihan dan kekecewaan, adinda kini percaya bila takdir cinta tak memihak kepadaku, wahai ananda Abu, adinda menangis berharap penghuni langit akan menangis untuk adinda,  atas kepeliluan hati yang meledak karena kerinduan cinta, kini ledakannya adalah tangis kesedihan dan kepiluan …

Wahai ananda Abu, semoga engkau bahagia di sana, dan semoga keluargamu sakinah yang berlandaskan Al-Qur’an dan Sunnah, adinda disini hanya dapat merelakan engkau untuk dirinya, dan adinda pun berharap ananda Abu dapat berkunjung lagi ke Kufah, ayahanda baik – baik saja kabarnya, ayah sampaikan salamnya untuk pamanmu di sana, dan ayahanda menerima keputusan ananda Abu di sana, semoga ananda Abu sehat selalu…

Dan aku pun merangkai kata untukmu wahai Ananda Abu yang tercinta

Kapal berlayar ke negeri seberang
Taklukan tanah yang tak mengenal Tuhan
Untuk kemuliaan hidup dan kemuliaan akan syahid
Lelaki pujaan menyerbu dalam kehormatan

Telah ku tunggu bila fajar kan datang
Bersabar semoga rembulan cepat – cepat pulang
Dinginnya malam dalam kerinduan yang dalam
Aku menjerit dalam hati keikhlasan

Kini datang kapal yang bersandar membawa dagangan
Kabar kesedihan bagai derasnya gelombang
Aku percaya pada surat yang telah datang
Aku pasrah dan sabar dalam pilihan

Untukmu adinda yang tersayang
Inilah laut yang memisahkan cinta
Kejamnya ombak menghancurkan janji –janji untuk pulang
Aku bahagia untukmu di seberang lautan

Cinta ku akan ku kembalikan pada bintang – bintang …
Hatiku akan ku titipkan pada rembulan …

Ananda Abu, semoga kita dapat bertemu kembali …

Wassalamu alaikum
Aisyah binti Ziyad

—————————-

*, nama hanya rekaan
**, panglima perang pembebas Samarkand 93 – 94 H / 711 – 712 M

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Farhan Bokhari, Islamabad

China has agreed to sell Pakistan at least 36 advanced fighter jets in a deal worth as much as $1.4bn, according to Pakistani and western officials.

Beijing will supply two squadrons of the J-10 fighter jet in a preliminary agreement that could lead to more sales, said a Pakistani official. The official said Pakistan might buy “larger numbers” of the multi-role aircraft in the future, but dismissed reports that Islamabad had signed a deal to purchase as many as 150 of the fighter jets.

Defence experts described the agreement with China as a landmark event in Pakistan’s defence relationship with the military power. China’s transition from a manufacturer of low-fighters to more advanced jets comparable to some western models is seen as evidence of Beijing’s increasing strategic clout in Asia.

“China is developing a real capacity to produce and export its arms. At one point, the Chinese were dependent on imported Russian technology, but obviously China has advanced significantly beyond those days,” said Marika Vicziany, Professor of Asian studies at Monash University in Melbourne.

“This agreement should not simply be seen in the narrow context of Pakistan’s relations with China,” said Abdul Qayyum, a retired Pakistani general.

“There is a wider dimension. By sharing its advanced technology with Pakistan, China is … also saying to the world that its defence capability is growing rapidly.”

China has supplied Pakistan with fighter jets for more than three decades. But Beijing has seldom supplied Pakistan’s air force with advanced fighter aircraft. Islamabad turned to France for Mirage fighter jets in the 1970s and to the US for F-16s in the 1980s.

Pakistan has a fleet of 45 F-16s built by Lockheed Martin. The Pakistani air force is using the fighter jet in its campaign against militants in South Waziristan.

The US has agreed to sell Islamabad another 18 new F-16s and Pakistani officials also expected the US to supply about a dozen older versions of the aircraft.

Over the past decade, China and Pakistan have collaborated on building their first jointly produced advanced fighter jet, known as the JF-17, or “Thunder”. Pakistan is expected to roll out the first domestically built version of the Thunder within weeks.

Pakistan’s air force plans to purchase at least 250 of the Thunder fighters over the next four to five years.

Experts see the new Pakistani focus on China as evidence that Beijing is trying to expand its military power.

“Countries like Iran and possibly some of the Middle Eastern countries would be keen to deal with China if they can find technology which is comparable to the west,” said one western official in Islamabad.

“Pakistan will work as the laboratory to try out Chinese aircraft. If they work well with the Pakistani air force, others will follow.”

Source: http://pakistankakhudahafiz.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/pakistan-in-chinese-fighter-jet-deal/

Sono reduce da un fine settimana rigenerante in Portogallo, a Ericeira per l’esattezza. A scrocco presso amici, come al solito, e con la solita scusa ormai più sbiadita della T-shirt dei Jesus and Mary Chain che mi ostino a mettere in lavatrice: lo faccio – scroccare un tetto, un letto, una ciotola di riso – per finalità sociologiche, per penetrare la società e scrutarla e viverla dall’interno… capisci, amico che per caso abiti a due passi da una meravigliosa spiaggia? Come potrei raggiungere questo obiettivo da una (più o meno lussuosa) stanza d’albergo? La maggior parte dei miei amici ospitanti, impietositi dall’espressione da gattino annaffiato che mi sono esercitato a sfoggiare in casi simili (anche in webcam) e orgogliosi di aiutare la scienza allo stesso tempo, mi hanno offerto negli anni quello che potevano. Altri invece mi hanno tirato una pedata nel sedere - in senso metaforico e non - e in quei casi ho dovuto sacrificare la purezza della ricerca sociologica alla voglia di andare a zonzo comunque. E scucire la fresca necessaria, come si dice dalle mie parti.

Vi dico tutto questo perchè un domani potrebbe capitare anche a voi, di avere un amico lontano particolarmente invadente. O magari già lo avete, o ne avete. O forse mi avete già ospitato in passato e adesso vi dovete per giunta sorbire anche ’sto post settimanale, solo per farmi contento. Perchè ormai siamo connessi, siamo amici, no? E perchè forse volete scroccare anche voi, prima o poi. Farvi contraccambiare il favore. Approfittatori…

Ebbene, Ericeira, a quaranta chilometri a nord di Lisbona, sul mare. Non è che uno pensi al Portogallo come alla nuova frontiera del progresso. Personalmente, non conoscendolo affatto, pensavo di trovare una situazione tipo la Spagna negli anni ‘80: case bianche, siesta, deserto tutto intorno, e rovi di polvere che scorrono via spinti dal vento. Questo forse a causa del mio innato ‘calendario’ biologico italico: cosa vuoi che siano vent’anni, se era così allora lo sarà anche oggi… E invece no. Vent’anni sono un sacco di tempo, e le società – quella italica esclusa, va da sé – dall’era dell’informatica in poi corrono, e corrono forte. Così ha fatto lo Spagna, e così si direbbe anche del Portogallo. Ho avuto in generale un’ottima impressione della società portoghese, del territorio, dello sviluppo economico e del rispetto ambientale. Molti degli stereotipi che avevo appiccicati in mente si sono rivelati infondati:

* le ragazze non sono baffute, nè brutte e scontrose o troppo religiose ma ANZI (e mi fermo qui per l’argomento specifico)

* la gente incontrata a caso è in media molto più simpatica di Mourinho, per quanto lo conosca poco

* non mi pare si entri in locali o posti di aggregazione senza pagare il biglietto; anzi, guardate un pò chi sarebbero i veri ‘approfittatori’ secondo questa simpatica ricostruzione etimologica: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fare_il_portoghese …avevate forse dei dubbi?

* la società è già piuttosto aperta di mentalità e multietnica. Il senso civico esiste e così il rispetto della legge. Ho assistito alla comminazione di una multa salata per un motivo italicamente parlando contestabile, senza che lo sfortunato multato abbia aperto bocca. ‘Perchè non protesti?’ Ho domandato. ‘Perchè dovrei?’ Mi sono sentito rispondere. Sono stato zitto

* la gestione del territorio (case, strade, pulizia, pianificazione edilizia, traffico) mi è sembrata buona; ovvio, non ho probabilmente visitato il Bronx lusitano, ma basta prendere via Melchiorre Gioia a Milano per capire quanto fa schifo

* ottimo cibo, prezzi davvero contenuti, e buona qualità dei servizi ai cittadini. Sorprendente il servizio di tv via cavo: non me ne intendo, ma un’ampia scelta televisiva con disco rigido per registrare, funzioni di tv on demand (stoppare la trasmissione, rivederla dall’inizio ecc..), in un pacchetto insieme a internet ad accesso continuo per 50 euro al mese mi sembra un prezzo buono. Inoltre i programmi tv non sono tradotti ma sottotitolati, con beneficio educativo della popolazione tutta, nuove generazioni per prime. Com’erano le cinque ‘i’ berlusconiane invece?

In generale, ho trovato la società portoghese piuttosto equilibrata, festaiola ma acculturata, intraprendente ma non stressata, amante della vita e delle cose belle. Una sorta di mediterraneità senza le bizze tipiche italiche, da primadonna. Solo perchè siamo i discendenti dell’Impero Romano… e allora? Loro hanno conquistato mezzo mondo con le navi esploratrici e i grandi navigatori. Certo, lo hanno anche in parte massacrato, quel mezzo mondo. Ma con serenità una ragazza a riguardo mi diceva: ‘Ecco perchè oggi non me la sento di prendermela con gli immigrati.’ E mi sorrideva. Così, come fosse la frase più naturale del mondo. E io pensavo a Calderoli.

Cos’altro? Un sacco di grandi turbine bianche per l’energia eolica, un pò come in Andalusia. Una natura imponente: coste rocciose a strapiombo sul mare, levigate dal forte vento atlantico, che mi hanno ricordato molto le Cliffs of Moher irlandesi, intervallate da splendide spiagge di sabbia rossastra. Un mare blu e selvaggio, nel quale giovani locali e turisti si divertono a fare surf. Musica e cultura per le strade. E poi Fernando Pessoa, gloria letteraria nazionale, che pubblicava le sue opere con una serie di eteronimi: proprio come proponevo io qualche settimana fa su questa pagina web. O è una coincidenza, oppure un segno che scrivo questa serie di amenità settimanali da troppo tempo ormai, da secoli.

Ah, e c’è dell’ottimo vinho tinto da due euro alla bottiglia, in Portogallo.

Special Offer
Winter Sun Walking Holidays in Andalucia – Walk Andalucia still have some availability for their November 26th and December 10th departures.

Book now and pay £385 and NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT.

“I would like to let you know that Walk Andalucia is my best holiday I ever experienced. Dave and Gill are marvellous, kind, well informed and fantastic hosts. The walk was quite hard at the first day but I started to build up my energy and managed well at the end of the holiday. The accommodation is well equipped, just like being at home. I came back to London felt very fit and be ready to face the cold winter.”

Chularat Huszar, October 2009.

Find Out More at Inspiring Holidays

Walking in Andalucia – Spanish Walking Holidays. 
Share the love of walking and enjoy great company on our walking holidays in beautiful Andalucia – Spain’s southernmost region.

Our holidays are all about finding the hidden Spain and the fun and stimulation of walking with a group of like-minded people! Singles are particularly welcome. People who have been before have told us they enjoyed the activities and the relaxed atmosphere very much.

The walks are well organised and people like all the historical and local information that is provided. The wining and dining are superb. You stay in a lovely authentic village house and the accommodation is very comfortable.

Andalucia is a lovely walking area and we make sure that you take full advantage of that. For many of our guests, the best aspect of the holiday is the excellent company of the group members and in particular, the great company of Gill & Dave, the tour leaders, who always go out of their way to include everyone in the walking and social activities. A holiday you will always remember.

Day-by-day itinerary

(If you are a group of 6 or more, contact us for a tailor made itinerary)

Day 1: Welcome to Andalucia. We will meet you at Malaga Airport and transfer you to your house in Torrox Pueblo by private transport. After settling into your accommodation, you will join the other guests for a welcome lunch followed by an orientation tour and introduction to the history of village.

Day 2: Comares. Our first day’s walking takes us via an old mule track to the hill top village of Comares in the beautiful Axarquia region. Comares is the highest village in the Axarquia region and the walk takes us round the outskirts of the village with breathtaking sea and mountain views. The whole area is rich in fruit trees. Velez Malaga is a major centre for the growing and export of mangoes and avocados. During the walk, there will be a wide range of other trees including almonds, pomegranates, oranges and olives. Flowers in April to June are spectacular including a wide variety of orchids. Eagles, kites and Griffon Vultures have also been seen in this high terrain. The walk finishes with a tour through the village and the opportunity to purchase some of the local muscatel raisins, figs, honey and almonds depending upon season. Walking time: 5 hours • Height Gain: 2200 ft • Grade: moderate

Day 3: Casa de la Mina. We take a 20 min drive due north of Torrox and offer 2 alternative walks – the choice is yours. For those who want a more challenging walk, there is a steep climb up a track that then follows a dry river bed for about an hour. For those who prefer a more leisurely walk, we will drive you up the steeper part in our 4×4 drive. At the top end of the track there are wonderful views of the valley from a height of 980m. The walk is then on an excellent track, fairly flat, with stunning views across the Almijara. We walk for about 30 mins to the Casa de la Mina – a delightful stop for refreshments with beautiful views and good opportunities for taking photos. We then descend, at times quite steeply, towards the now disused Fabrica de la Luz where we meet the river. The descent takes about an hour to a wonderful picnic spot beside a waterfall. It may be necessary to cross the river a couple of times so weatherproof boots or spare socks are useful. Sticks would be useful for the ascent. • Walking time: 4½ hours • Distance: 12 km • Grade: moderate

Day 4: El Canuelo. This walk starts behind the village of Periana and involves a gradual ascecnt with stunning views of Lake Vinuela. It is a great walk for wild flowers and birds and in January and February beautiful almond blossom. At the start we walk upwards to an old railway track. It is an easy walk but you are rewarded with 360o views including that of Maroma, which is the highest mountain in Axarquia (2068 m). This is part of the Sierra Tejeda. We continue walking through to the Ventas de Zafarraya – a spectacular pass through the mountain chain. We then head down to the village of El Canuelo where we have a stop for refreshment. The restaurant also has a swimming pool and we can relax and enjoy the views of Lake Vinuela below. There is then a leisurely walk down mainly tarmac road back to the cars. Walking time: 5 hours • Distance: 12 km • Grade: easy.

Day 5: Rest day. Dave & Gill will be happy to provide information and help you to plan your own day out – others have enjoyed a trip to Nerja and its caves, or into the vibrant, historic city of Malaga, including the famous Picasso Museum. In the evening, BBQ / Meal at D&G\’s finca, a rural delight.

Day 6: Lost villages of Acebuchal. This is a circular walk along a shaded river bed for part of its length with a short steep climb up to a good track for the return journey. The villages of Acebuchal, Bajo and Arriba were deserted in the 1950s when the villages were cleared in post Civil War guerrilla fighting. Our guide for this walk is steeped in the history of the area and we promise an entertaining and lively day. The Junta de Andalucia are now financing the restoration of the villages to encourage rural tourism run by local people. We finish the day at the Cortijo of Maria and her friends where they prepare a 9 course meal comprising typical local home made dishes and wines. Situated on a hilltop with views down to Nerja and the mountains, there is a swimming pool for the use of guests (fabulous on hot days after a long walk). Walking time: 4 hours • Grade: easy

Day 7: Canillas de Albaida. This walk takes us up a river valley with a steep climb up a small goat track before returning back down along gentle quarry road. The walk starts from the now disused Fabrica de la Luz which used to provide electricity for the area before the Spanish National grid was formed. The walk takes us through many walnut groves and in the spring fields of bright red poppies delight the eye. We pass a huge cave which was once used by the local honey maker and is now home to a herd of goats and climb to a height of 3,500 feet with superb views over the magnificent Sierra Almijara. Walking time: 5 hours • Length: 12 km • Grade: moderate

Day 8: Adios! After breakfast we transfer you to Malaga Airport.

Travellers’ Tales
“A standard of excellence and enthusiasm from all the company from booking to return far above the usual package holidays we have experienced.”

The Costa del Sol weather is exactly what you would expect from the name \”Sunny Coast\”; sun, sun and more sun. It is one of the best, most reliable and healthiest climates in the world with more than 300 days of sunshine per year. In the winter months the climate is temperate with average daytime temperatures of about 16ºC. There can be some rainy days during this period – when tends to vary from year to year – but it seldom lasts more than a few days. It is a perfect climate during these months for walking.

Find Out More at Inspiring Holidays

New image in the reflections photography contest

…
Andalusia photography picture

Located in Spain’s resort town that is synonymous with luxury and sophistication, Nikki Beach Marbella truly embraces the local motto “A Way of Life.” Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Don Carlos Beach Resort in Elviria, Marbella, Nikki Beach plays host to some of the world’s most rich and famous clientele. From celebrities to local socialites, as well as visitors looking to unwind, Nikki Beach Marbella is the ultimate destination for relaxation, celebration and revelry in the Costa del Sol.

Situated a mere 15 minutes from the city center of Marbella, guests can escape the city bustle and lounge on plush white beds while sipping a cocktail and munching on the colorful assortment of delicious Spanish fusion cuisine. As the crowd picks up, the resident DJ spins endless house and dance music adding momentum to the daily festivities. As the sun sets, Nikki Beach becomes the best party scene in Marbella, with champagne spraying, cocktails flowing, and one of the most prestigious nightlife crowds in the world.

ABOUT MARBELLA

Beautiful Marbella is gaining notoriety as one of the most luxurious resort towns in the world. Often referred to as Spain’s answer to Saint-Tropez, the city and beaches of Marbella have become renowned jet set destination points for some of the worlds most celebrated clientele. Famed for world-class sailing, golf and tennis, the city is a mecca of prestigious charm and upscale living. With dazzling white buildings set against the deep, azure Mediterranean sky, the splendor of Marbella is undeniably pleasing to every eye.

Combining the exotic backdrop of the Costa del Sol with chic city elegance, the luxurious resort town of Marbella is located in Andalusia, Spain, and is truly a gem of the Mediterranean region. Whether seeing a low key, relaxing retreat or an upbeat getaway for parties and entertainment, Marbella can meet any request with ease. Experience the down-to-earth side of the city with a visit to exquisite “Orange Square,” where historical buildings, little boutiques, art galleries, pubs and bistros dot the streets, and are full of activity from dawn to dusk. A jaunt down any of the city’s surrounding narrow streets of intermingled homes and shops will keep any visitor busy, where plenty of authentic restaurants offer a varied seafood, paella and tapas selection to cure any appetite.

Source>>>>>

Once all of the great lands of the East had been taken by the Gauls’ hordes, they set their sights on pushing the Dar al-Islam back to Africa, and out of Iberia. The Pope declared a crusade to take Cordoba, and what followed were the greatest years of anguish our people have ever known. Over the next century, army after army came from the distant north and burned our fields. Every time, they were pushed back, and forced to concede to our Kings. Thousands upon thousands of warriors came, and in the beginning they were too much, since we had grown week from infighting. Many of the Emirs of the north were conquered, and across the Tajou (Tajo) River Christians harassed our borders.

It was during this time that the feared reputation of our Kings among the Gauls started. The Kingdom of England was one of the first to wage war against us, and even when their forces were beaten back again and again they refused to desist. It was then that the practice of Le Vide (Emptiness) began. Since the Normans had sent so many armies over to Iberia, and their armies were still fighting ours by at-Tajou, their homeland was undefended. The King sent an expeditionary force by boat secretly to England, not to conquer, but to break apart. The greatest innovation of that time in warfare was the understanding that political unity is the most powerful weapon a nation has. The Mongols and the Huns before them rose and collapsed under the making and breaking of unity. In distant lands, conquest is too difficult to maintain, but even a small force can destroy the political unity of a Kingdom.  Many books have been written on Le Vide – a land may be impossible to attack, but it can be easy to render it incapable of attacking. The force of 15,000 men landed and marched to London, sacking it, and burning all of the English King’s lands. Then they went around to the fortress of each of his vassals, forcing them to pledge allegiance to the King of Andalusia. By the time the King of England returned from his defeats in Iberia, his land was a smoldering ruin, half ruled by Berbers, and all of his vassals had left him. England would be incapable of invading another country for the next 80 years, and even after that, it’s lands were split in three, between the English King, the Duke of Canterbury, and the King of Wales.

This strategy was employed again and again, whenever a very large invader refused to admit peace. The next was France, who foolishly declared war against a vassal of the King for only one province. The armies of Valencia laid waste to western France, leaving behind Berber lords in Limousin and other places. For this we became known, and whenever a King would hear that Andalousi forces were marching through his lands, he would concede whatever peace we desired. Of course, the result became that our people were so hated throughout the world that no-one would be a vassal of our Kings.

In spite, or in fact because of the many wars with neighboring powers, instead of shrinking over time the Kingdom became larger and more centralized. While most of the vassal states were independent, the parts that remained loyal to the King were managed more and more by appointed bureaucrats and advisers, not feudal land owners. The territories of the Kingdom went from a small section surrounding Seville in the days of the Emirs, to a quarter of the entire peninsula, encompassing the cities of Seville, Granada, Badajoz, Toledo, and Valencia. Just this section of land alone had half the population of all of France, and it is because of this that our Kings could marshal army after army to fight off the Gauls. One feature of the time that was not centralized was the military structure. Because of the large demands on the military, a dedicated warrior class emerged, subsidized by the King. These warriors came to imitate their Christian neighbors, favoring half-plate and full-plate armor. During this time the army consisted mostly of heavy cataphracts and Greek-style phalanxes, and it serves our people well.  Our great wealth allows our heavy warriors to be equipped with much better than their Christian counterparts, and as such they stayed relevant for far longer. Much of the warfare established then has affected our modern Armored tactics.

The last King of the Berber dynasty was feared and hated throughout the world like no other man, but was unable to bear children. His one male child, a bastard, died in battle, and his only other child was his daughter. He contrived an excuse to have his wife executed, to marry a younger one, but even she could not bear him a child. Then the day came that he died, at the age of 67, and his line was gone.

The line that would follow would restore our people to unity, and end the crusades. It was known as the Persian dynasty.

This small article dates back to 2004, a time when there were literally thousands of ruins and properties in need of renovation. This was a great time to buy cheap property, spend some time renovating and then sell on for a healthy profit.

We pointed out a key part of their desirability, the ease of getting a building permit compared to building a new property was vast. New build permits on rural land require many conditions to be met and even with a good architect and lawyer, the process could take up to two years before a licence was granted, if at all.

Television, especially in the UK was awash with home improvement programmes and moving abroad series’ such as ‘A Place in the Sun’ (a programme I personally appeared while working as an estate agent, much to the delight of friends and family at home). And so, demand reached fever pitch and the bargain ruins soon disappeared. These days ruins in Andalucia are much harder to come by but can still be found here:

http://www.kyero.com/property_guide/55531-andalucia-property-guide – you’ll need to search under the property type of “land”.

On to the article itself:

Property to renovate in Andalusia Spain may be so run down that you actually need to re-build it, or it may simply need a lick of paint and some tidying up. Whatever the amount of work you are prepared to do, you will find a wide selection of property to renovate advertised here on kyero.com. With the recent crack down from the Andalusia Junta on building permits, particularly on rural land, it can often be easier to buy a ruined property to renovate in Andalusia Spain than just buy a plot of land to build on, and usually a lot quicker to obtain planning permission. Many of the ruined properties in Andalusia offer great potential and for those who are willing to consider properties for renovation, you will find a fantastic choice of property to renovate in Andalusia Spain.

Ruphus ha un bar in Spagna, in un parco naturale, a 30 metri dalla spiaggia di San José (Almería). È un bar – ristorante fighissimo, ma Ruphus ha deciso di cederlo. Per questo approfitta dello spazio sui suoi blogz per farsi pubblicità. Cliccando su questo banner si viene catapultati su un sito che dà molte informazioni in più. Speriamo di vendere al più presto il bar e di poter togliere questa pubblicità.

Ruphus ha un bar in Spagna, in un parco naturale, a 30 metri dalla spiaggia di San José (Almería). È un bar – ristorante fighissimo, ma Ruphus ha deciso di cederlo. Per questo approfitta dello spazio sui suoi blogz per farsi pubblicità. Cliccando su questo banner si viene catapultati su un sito che dà molte informazioni in più. Speriamo di vendere al più presto il bar e di poter togliere questa pubblicità.

Ruphus ha un bar in Spagna, in un parco naturale, a 30 metri dalla spiaggia di San José (Almería). È un bar – ristorante fighissimo, ma Ruphus ha deciso di cederlo. Per questo approfitta dello spazio sui suoi blogz per farsi pubblicità. Cliccando su questo banner si viene catapultati su un sito che dà molte informazioni in più. Speriamo di vendere al più presto il bar e di poter togliere questa pubblicità.

Why Europe is barbaric?

The barbaric Catholic Church;(October 13, 2009)

            There is a resurgence of Islamophobia in France couched under the pretext of discovering the origins of European civilization as a combination of Greek and Christian cultures. It would be worthwhile to set the historical facts straight for any meaningful reply.

            By 324 AC, the Roman Emperor Constantine had defeated the three other co-Emperors and is the sole ruler of the Mediterranean Sea Empire, including England, France, northern Africa, Egypt, Turkey, and the Near East to the Euphrates River. Emperor Constantine ordered the Bishops of all the Christian sects in his Empire (they were a dozen at least) to meet in Nicee (Turkey) to adopt a unifying “dogma” for a central Orthodox Church based in Constantinople. By a slight majority, bishops who agreed to Constantine’s radical abstract dogma (he was a new convert) started to persecute the “heretic” Christian sects who fled to the western side of the Euphrates River that was under Persia Empire.

            From 325 AC to around 700 AC there was a Christian Empire dominated by Byzantium with Capital in Constantinople. This empire was to the east of the Euphrates River, crossing Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, all the way to England and including North Africa. To the west of the Euphrates River there was a Persian Empire, mostly under the Sassanide Dynasty.  For four centuries, the Christians of the Orient under the central power of the Church of Constantinople shied rational thinking and sciences were halted.

            The Arabic Empire, around 650 AC, did not conquer the western part of Turkey which remained with the Byzantium Empire until 1450 when the Ottoman Sultan Muhammad 2 entered Constantinople and spread all the way to the borders of Vienna in Austria. The Christians of the Orient, especially the heretic sects, converted to Islam that represented a pragmatic common denominator religion away fro the Orthodox Church. Rational thinking got a boost; translation of foreign knowledge and Greek manuscripts to the Syriac and Arabic languages got underway; it was about time.

            In around 1000 a major schism in Christianity split the Catholic Church of Rome with the Christian Orthodox Church of Constantinople. Actually, the initial Crusade campaigns had for objective to conquer Constantinople and coerce the Orthodox Church into uniting with Rome. That is what took place and Constantinople was ransacked and burned before the Crusading forces marched on toward Jerusalem. The other successive Crusading incursions had for objective to capture Egypt and free the spice routes directly to Europe without paying taxes to the Moslem Kingdoms along the maritime and land caravan routes.

            The Koran was translated in Constantinople in the 9^th century. It was translated in Toledo (Spain) in the 12^th century but was not disseminated in Europe.  Europe got aware of Islam’s concept of decentralized religious power in the 16^th century when printing made it feasible; this was the period when the Catholic Church of Rome experienced its decline on holding on absolute religious and civilian power.

            Thus, from 325 to 1450 Europe was Christian.  Why Greek civilization, if Europe insists on taking the source of its culture from antique Greece, was not prevalent during over 11 centuries?  Why Europe remained barbaric till the 15^th century?  Is it because the Christian dogma of Rome was barbaric and refused other civilizations and cultures to infiltrate Europe?  Certainly the Christian clerics were at least bilingual, mostly Latin and Greek, and consequently, if Greece had any culture it would have been translated into Latin. Some would give the lame excuse that the scholars in Europe, mostly the clerics, could read the Greek manuscripts in their original forms and had no need to translate any manuscripts into Latin or other live languages; this would be another proof that the Catholic Church of Rome was barbaric and refused philosophical and scientific disciplines to penetrate into Europe.

            Europe experienced a demographic surge around 1000 AC; it is after getting in contact with the Near East culture and civilization (under Arabic/Islamic kingdoms) during the Crusading campaigns that culture entered Europe from the open door.  Even after the total defeat of the Crusaders in 1200 the Near East culture permeation would continue via Andalusia in southern Spain. The Arabic/Moslem civilization in Spain was the main source for the transfer of sciences into Europe until the “Christian” Spanish monarchs conquered completely Spain in around 1400 and chased out Moslems and Jews from its territory.

            Greece after Aristotle did not produced much in culture.  It was just a brilliant century for the City-State of Athens during Pericles period, as so many glorious periods for a dozen other City-States that dotted the Mediterranean shores and the Euphrates River, from Mary, Harran, Edessee, Ugharite, Tripoli, Byblos, Beirut, Sidon, Tyr, and much later Alexandria, Antiochus, and Ephesus, and on that scholars and archeologists have to start focusing on for the origins of civilizations.  The proof is that the Byzantium Empire that was established in Greece for over 11 centuries is no where mentioned as source for any worthwhile civilization.

            Macedonian warriors under Alexander conquered the Near East.  It is not because the Near East people, from Alexandria, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and coastal Turkey, who assimilated the Greek language and spread their own culture and civilization in the Greek language that Europe has to claim its civilization to Greece. Europe should not. It is the Near East culture and civilization that assimilated the languages of the various conquerors (Mesopotamians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs from the Arabic Peninsula, Ottomans from the Turkish Plateau, and the most recent French colonialism, and English colonialism) that absorbed and disseminated the fundamental cultures and civilizations to its neighboring environment.  

            It is not because of the invasion of nomadic warriors from the Arabic Peninsula that Arabic civilization should be labeled Arab.  Why the Mogul Empires that lasted longer than many Empires and stretched much further than many are not given any civilization?  It is a shame that Europe still feels the urge to attribute civilization to military conquering warriors.

            Europe would have remained barbaric if it was not superceded as a superpower by the USA and Russia after WWII. The recent colonial dominations and the slaughtering of indigent people is a striking proof.  The single streak that the USA inherited mostly from Europe is its barbaric pre-emptive wars against smaller nations and its racist tendency for hegemony whenever the chance knocks.

            Thus, the break up of the “heretic” protestant sects with the Catholic Church of Rome opened the way for Europe’s renaissance and the transfer of Islamic scientific discoveries and scientific methods with sound mathematical discipline. Strong with new sciences the “heretic” Protestant sects created models of nationalism to civilize the “barbarians” of the world.  Renaissance of Europe turned out not to be driven toward humanitarian purposes but based on exclusive nationalism proprietary that exhibited its brutal and ugly racist behavior for many decades.

            After the 18^th century Papal Rome tried hastily to catch up with the scientific trend and put up a face of progress and the conservator of scientific investigation.  This obscurantist religious central power initiated and backed all European invasions and the extermination of aborigines under the guise of “Christianizing” the pagan barbarians.

Note: I use chock titles to lure readers; those who patronize my blog comprehend that my posts are highly rational and the work of much analysis and reflection. I have no zeal to dwell into religions of any kinds. I would like readers to refer to my recent post “Damascus saved the Greek culture and language”.

I spent last weekend in Southern Spain traveling around Granada, Cordoba, and Seville. We returned with pink faces from the 90 degree weather, full stomachs from all the pastries, and new territories to check off the exploration list.

The weekend started with a 4:00 am taxi ride to the airport. We arrived in plenty of time to meet up, coast through security, and sleeplessly meander to our gate. Catie and I were approached along the way by a group of a half dozen guys urging us to take a picture with one of their friends that was dressed in a full Spiderman getup. We assumed it was a bachelor party, locked arms with the poor blindfolded guy, and flashed our pearly whites for the camera. We proceeded to the gate to get to the front of the line (Spencer knew the Ryanair tricks.) As I approached the tired-looking stewardess to begin boarding the plane, I noticed a panicked glance on Spencer’s face. Unbeknownst to us, we were supposed to get our boarding passes stamped at check-in. We booked and printed our tickets online and failed to read the fine print. Stewardess says: You need to run. If there is one thing I have picked up about traveling, it is that things like these happen even when you feel as if you have all your ducks in a row. Live and learn I guess.

After a race in flippy-floppies and a heavy backpack out of the airport, back in to the airport, oops my backpack spilled all over the ground, up a flight, fast stamps and passports at the desk, tenemos prisa as we pass all the angry Spaniards in line, stumbling through security forgetting to pull out my laptop, going the wrong direction, straightened back out, sweating through my sundress, slipping on the moving walkways, almost there… we finally made it in time to hop on the back of the boarding line for our plane.

The rest of the day stood in stark contrast to the start. We made it to La Alhambra in Granada and spent hours touring the ornate buildings and extravagant gardens. I didn’t realize how much I missed the mountains until I saw how perfectly the glowing Alhambra nestled in them. The whole town is marvelous with it’s winding streets, authentic markets, little hookah joints, historical Cathedral, and fantastic views. We watched the sunset from a high point in the city while playing addictive word games with each other and being serenaded by a guitarist. The day was idyllic.

Day two was slightly less sublime due to extreme heat and some bad decisions (never visit a Museum of Torture… you will get what you expect.) However, Cordoba hosted some glorious colors and vibrant flower boxes, forming Grecian-looking windowsills. The Mezquita was a sight to see as well, and Catie and I received well-informed insights from our favorite Tour Guide Spencer.

Seville was a lively and charming place to be; the majorly long lines were proof of such. But the town was delightful, and we met up with friends to enjoy a full day of touring together. My favorite part of Seville was the flamenco show. I have no way to describe the performance other than to say that it captured my emotions unlike any dance has previously done. It was exceptional. I also enjoyed a Brazilian piña colada at the international food/clothing market, the best Plaza Mayor I have seen yet, a hippie parade, and a beautiful river walk.

Andalusia treated us well, and we were sad to board the train that would send us home to a week of midterms. But I suppose if I have to be studying for midterms, I don’t mind doing so IN SPAIN

Islamophobia is anathema to rational thinking; (October 18, 2009)

            Islam is quickly becoming an integral religion in the Western world.  There is a growing sense of uneasiness for Islam devotees: they pray at least three times a day facing Mecca (the Kaaba) and take seriously the fasting month of Ramadan. The various Christian sects barely practice their religion; the “Christians” mostly use their religion as political platforms during voting seasons to discriminate among cultures for the “proper way of life”.  A recent scandal broke out in England: the government is wire taping the Moslems on ground of social study.  In France there was an attempt at disqualifying Arabs as carrier of any philosophical civilization that could have impressed on European Renaissance.  The Arabic media didn’t respond to “Aristotle on Mount St. Michelle” simply because the book talked of philosophical import and didn’t discuss the scientific aspects.

            The main confusion in Europe or in the Arab/Islamic world is about what Empires we are alluding to: Arabic Empires (culture) or Islamic Empires (civilization) and how to discriminate among the cultures of each one of the Empires.  The modern nationalistic models (brainchild of emerging Europe) could not correspond to ancient models of thinking and thus, the attempts to explaining past Empires with modern models of what constitute a nation is confusing research and biasing facts with awkward interpretations.

            In all periods, elites of Empires needed an ideology to assure the articulation of various heritages (Arab, Persian, Byzantium, Roman, Greek, and Aramaic).  The unstable structure of ancient Empires frequently pressed upon its elites to rethink the new culture of the emerging Empire and re-construct it via a mould where diverse elements were poured in (ethnicity, community, belief systems, and language).  Thus, social thinkers struggled to present a coherent understanding of the new Empire; the purpose was not an erudite analysis for posterity but to get the new Empire functioning properly.

            This post is meant to investigate the allegation that European civilization is fundamentally the heritage of ancient Greece civilization.  I have examined the contention that “Europe civilization is because of Christianism”, a proposal that I refuted in a previous post (read “The Barbaric Catholic Church of Rome”) where the centralized church prohibited the influx of “heretic” scientific manuscripts to Europe from the Near Eastern Byzantium Empire and later from the Islamic Empire till way the 16^th century.

            The best route for this examination is to consider two civilizations that imbibed the Islamic Empires.  The first Umayyad Arabic Empire 650 to 800 AC had for Capital Damascus; the culture in the Near East in that period was principally Hellenistic in the sense that scholars and educated people wrote in two languages, the Greek and Syriac languages (Aramaic dialect developed in Edesse, current Turkey) ; the common people spoke the language of the land or Aramaic.  Aramaic is the root language for Hebrew and the various local languages, especially the two Arabic branches that were spoken in Mecca and in Yemen.  It is in this period that lasted 150 years that translation of Greek and Syriac manuscripts into Arabic received its impetus.  Translation of Greek works to Syriac continued way into the 9^th century. The people easily assimilated the spoken Arabic of Mecca and gave Arabic its proper alphabet and grammar.

            The second period can be called the Islamic Empire when the Capital was re-located to the newly erected city of Baghdad (Baghdad was to become the largest metropolis in this Empire of over one million inhabitant); this Islamic civilization was marked by the Persian culture and language with high import from India: trade was cut off with Europe for many centuries first during the Mamluk Empires after kicking out the last remnant of the Crusaders and later the early Ottoman Empire as Constantinople fell in around 1450. 

            The Umayyad Dynasty exported to Islamic Persia the embryo of the current scientific works and the nascent Islamic philosophy (falsafa); the more developed scientific works were later mostly written in Persian language; the same scholars wrote the disciplines that were related to religion, philosophy, rhetoric, legal, mathematics, and algebra, in Arabic because they were needed for the proper function in the administration of the Empire.  Educated and cultured people who were familiar with Greek works met in “salons” (majalis) to discuss on various subjects, philosophical incursions into the possible, the intellect, the sensibility and the soul. 

            Schools of learning were erected and knowledge was no longer the prerogative of the initiation of master to disciple for rich people. By the first century of Islam (8^th century), schools were exploding everywhere with targeted practical disciplines (algebra, geometry, arithmetic, trigonometry, jurisprudence, theology (kalam), science of tradition (hadith), history, linguistic, lexicography, math combinatorial analysis, cryptography, and grammar) mainly to support the functions of the Empire administration and train cadres for offices such as fiscal, heritage, religious calendar, and army logistics. The schools were inspired by different traditions such as Greek, Persian, Indian, and Syriac).  By the second century of Islam specialized schools in theoretical mathematics, medicine, physics, optics, and astronomy were booming.

            The first acknowledged Moslem philosopher Al Kindi (9^th century) admitted that Aristotle was the most eminent Greek philosopher and wrote: “We have to thank the prior thinkers who shared with us what is right; they made it more accessible to us researching the truth and they provided the premises that leveled the way for what is true.  Offering reasons and demonstrations are part of the acquisition process in the sciences for veracity. Those strangers to scientific inquiries are trafficking in religion even though they have got no religion: indeed the one who sells one thing does no longer belong to him.”

            Personally, I tend to attribute the name of Islamic civilization for the import of scientific disciplines such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, physics, optics, and chemistry.  Arabic civilization should be restricted to the Umayyad Dynasty period in matters of rhetoric, legal, practical mathematics, Kalam (reflection on the world according to the Koran paradigm), grammars, language, and the import of any outside scientific knowledge that the Old World reserved in Constantinople, Persia, India, and China.

            A follow up post will demonstrate that European Renaissance in the 16^th century was fundamentally Islamic scientifically; the decentralization of the Christian power away from Rome was also inspired by the decentralization nature of Islam as a religion.  The title is “Europe’s Renaissance is Islamic”.  It is worthwhile for researchers not to confuse the recent period of Islamic radical decadence with early Islamic civilization that lasted from 650 to 1100 AC in the Orient and then re-surfaced in Andalusia (Spain) from 800 till 1400 AC.  After 1400 AC Christian Spanish monarchs chased out the Moslems and Jews from their kingdom; the Catholic Church in Rome instituted the Inquisition to harass the new converts to Christianity.

Parece ser que Apple no es muy amigo del español, no hay emisoras de radio en iTunes, no se puede controlar el mac con la voz… Lo más curioso es que la persona encargada de ”traducir” el sistema ha cambiado de Leopard a Snow Leopard , ya que hace unos días descubrí este pequeño fallito, que en el primero no pasaba, y que no deja de ser curioso xDDD

¡Viva AndaluSía!

salu2