Bill Murray's Blog, page 146
November 29, 2012
Greece, Sliding
In the article Greeks turn to the forests for fuel as winter nears, the Guardian notes the return of malaria, "officially eliminated 40 years ago," to eastern Attica and the Peloponnese.
November 27, 2012
Rainy Day Reading
We've been a little scarce here at CS&W as we try to finish up some longer-form writing and get set for a trip to Rapa Nui that's about a month away. More on that as we get closer.
For now, here are ideas of interest from all over, if you're so inclined:
- Not long ago, my pal Rick Lewis moved to Cotacachi, Ecuador. He blogs about it at brokedownpalette.
- Alfred Molon, a Dane, has some 23,000 photos here, from much of the world.
- Albanian Tourism Project Puts Beds in Bunkers, from Der...
November 16, 2012
Friday Photo Quiz #166 - Where in the World?
Four distinct aspects of this week's mystery country, including the capital city at the top. Can you name the country? The capital?
The answer is after the jump. A good weekend to all from CS&W
and EarthPhotos.com.
And
the answer is
............................................................... Ecuador. The capital at the top is Quito.
More photos in the Ecuador Gallery at Earthphotos.com.
And take all the CS&W photo quizzes.
November 9, 2012
Friday Photo Quiz #165 - Where in the World?
If I didn't already know where this place is, I'm not sure I could even guess the continent. So, a couple of tiny clues: This isn't the official capital of the country, but it has more government departments than the capital, and most people think of this place first when (if) they think of the country at all.
As you can see, the city is literally climbing the hills around it as it grows past the two million mark in population, making it the biggest metro area in its country.
Can
you name t...
October 31, 2012
No Good Can Come from Azawad
I voted for president today here in Georgia. For all our fractious partisanship in the United States, it is my great fortune, and I am thankful to live in an established, mature democracy.
In fearsome contrast, take a look at how things are going in Azawad, a country recognized by no one. Earlier this year "Azawad" was wrenched from Mali by Islamist insurgents. For an ugly reality check, please read A Trip Through Hell: Daily Life in Islamist Northern Mali.
October 26, 2012
Weekend Reading
Enough politics? Here's a wide range of interesting travel topics for your weekend edification:
The Most Remote Island in the World
Back at Last to Mandalay
The Most Terrible Polar Exploration Ever
Why I'm Leaving China
Paradise with an Asterisk
Friday Photo Quiz #164 - Where in the World?
Savannah, impenetrable forest (that's a clue) and a profile of this country's capital city. What country is it?
It's a country the size of Oregon with about as many people as Venezuela or Taiwan, more than 85 per cent of whom are rural. It's a lovely country with some nasty health statistics; It ranks in the top ten in both fertility and death rates, and near the bottom of the bottom ten in female life expectancy, at a dismal 38.71 years.
Can
you name the country? Extra credit for guess...
October 25, 2012
Balkan Update
Laurence Mitchell has been in the Balkans researching an update to his Bradt Guide to Serbia. See his writing and photography on his blog East of Elveden. Outstanding.
October 23, 2012
Governor Romney's 42 Allies
"We're the great nation that has allies - 42 allies and friends around the world," the Governor told us in last night's debate. Here, for the record, are the United States' 42 allies, according to Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul:
First there are the NATO allies: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain...
October 22, 2012
New Books on Geography, Well Reviewed
Adam Gopnik has a terrific piece in The New Yorker reviewing recent books Why Geography Matters: More than Ever by Harm J de Blij and The Revenge of Geography by Robert D. Kaplan.
As a schoolboy, I avoided reading an assigned book by de Blij. As a somewhat older geography fan leavened by having actually seen some of the planet's geography, I bought Why Geography Matters. Now I'll read Kaplan's book, albeit with more wariness after his detour into NeoCon-hood than with the rapt admiration I...
