The Spainiac (Column #2) | 'El Albaicín' - Sol Times Newspaper, Spain

Website: Page 25
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Kazimierz district - Krakow, Poland

A small garden in the old Jewish district of Kazimierz, in Krakow, Poland

After being home to a large Jewish community from the 14th century till the Holocaust in WWII, Kazimierz is still one of the most culturally significant Jewish areas in the world. Since developments and restorations began in 1993, Kazimierz has been thriving from its renaissance of booming growth in Jewish population, and become a Bohemian district of various cultural festivals, cafe's, bars, restaurants, art galleries and antique shops

The Spainiac (Column #1) | 'La Sagrada Família' - Sol Times Newspaper, Spain

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Website: Page 24
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Michael Bolton, Phoenix Mountains, Arizona and Sensuality

Can someone please explain the recurring scenes of eagles and horses in this brilliant song clip from 1993? It's something I've often pondered since childhood, and have still not had the honorable chance to query with Michael Bolton myself.

On another note, and more to my initial point of posting this; the video was filmed in Phoenix, Arizona and displays some rather stunning views and areas of the Phoenix Mountains. This, together with the fire, dim lighting, longingly distant eyes, billowing curls in the wind and what have you (don't forget the horses and eagles), evokes a rather collectively sensual vibe about the natural park to viewers of this clip. 

 

Nice one Bolton, you've done it again.

Sri Lanka voted as Lonely Planet's number one destination of 2013

Negambo Beach, Sri Lanka

With views like this, it's no surprise that Lonely Planet voted Sri Lanka as the number one destination to visit in 2013.

Statistics from the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority (SLTDA) showed an 18.1% increase in tourists since September last year, with 71, 111 arriving this September compared to the 60, 219 in September 2011.

The Ceylon Daily News wrote: "Travel experts and voters have predicted that Sri Lanka will be on the top of the hottest new holiday destinations for travelers in 2013. Under the title ‘Serenity returns to Serendib’ the travel guide raves destination Sri Lanka describing the multifaceted experiences the traveler can look for in Sri Lanka, fused with novelty and indulgence."

Rightfully deserved, well overdue and finally emancipated from its painful years of civil war, it's about time this spectacular little gem of an island became recognized for what it truly is.©

Simplicity

This beautiful little man captivated me when I was walking down the bustling Rua de Santa Catarina of Porto town in Portugal, trying to find the Mercado do Bolhão (markets). 

Seeing a man with no eyesight playing the accordion so beautifully amongst all the madness surrounding him, made me stop in my tracks and my own mad rush too. I was drawn to so many things about this scene; talent, skill, inspiration, but above all, his simplicity.

All he has with him is his accordion, umbrella, his foldout chair, and a small recycled empty butter container for tips. He is set up in an unattractive corner of the strip, next to a set of vandalized roof sheets that are being used as a temporary wall. There is really no space for all the scurrying apostles of capitalism passing by (myself included), to stop and admire. Despite this, he was so passionate and soulfully involved in the melody he was playing.

There is no way to describe in words everything I was feeling and thinking at this moment, as I stood there watching the scenario. It was simply a moment in which you had to be there to experience and feel yourself. It certainly stood as a poignant affirmation of the reality we are in; simplicity in this life is and will just never be enough... but it's nice to be able to appreciate it.©

Algo comida típica de España (some typical food of Spain):

Tapas in Levíes Cafe/Bar - Sevilla, España... Chilled Gazpacho, seafood paella, picos artesanos, and vino Rioja. 

This place gets crazy busy from about 9pm every night with people coming in for their evening tapas. It's on the corner of Calle San José at the beginning of Calle Levies in the Barrio de Santa Cruz. This is the same street the well-known 'La Carbonería' flamenco bar is located, so you'll most likely see some of the same faces later at the bar if you're headed there. Levíes has a buzzing atmosphere, is reasonably priced, friendly waiters and service (although they speak no English whatsoever - but hey, this is Spain; why should they?!), an open outdoor seating area at the front, as well as a separate cocktail bar section. If you're living it up the proper Spanish way and having your 'dinner' at 10:30pm at night, this is definately a good place for your pre-flamenco tapas.©

And again with the London underground funnies... Who says the Brits aren't funny?!

Just another Saturday night on the London underground...

Malakkastraat - Den Haag, Netherlands

Since we're on the topic of Greek, it is only appropriate to share this photo taken of a street name in Den Haag, Netherlands (for those that don't know, "malaka" is the Greek slang word for "wanker"). Wonder if malaka's actually live here?©