Archive for January, 2010
City Of David
In 1867 the British explorer Captain Charles Warren discovered an ancient underground water tunnel just outside the walls of the old cityand just 500 feet from the Western Wall. Upon recognizing this to be remarkably similar to the underground water tunnel or “gutter” described in the Bible 2nd Book of Samuel Ch. 5 as used by King David’s forces in the capture of Jerusalem Captain Warren began archeological excavations that would later confirm that he had in fact just discovered “Biblical Jerusalem”.
Captain Warrens discovery launched a long line of excavations in the city and whet the appetite of numerous treasure hunters who came to the area seeking out the secrets and treasures of the “Bible”.
The City of David Today
Following the Six Day War Jerusalem was united and the boundary erased. However a Jewish presence was missing from the City of David. Towards the end of the seventies archaeological excavations in the City of David began and continued for several seasons under the directorship of Professor Yigal Shiloh discoveries and greatly expanded our current understanding of the City of David. Throughout the years additional excavations have taken place which enriched our knowledge about the City of David. In 1991 the first Jewish residents began to return to live in the City of David and today the area is a thriving Jewish community. The purpose of the City of David Visitors Center is to bring as many people as possible to visit the area and to experience the place where it all began.
You may ready for about Jerusalem http://jerusalempedia.com
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Born in Israel
Live in TelAviv
http://jerusalempedia.com/cityofdavid.html
Christmas In Kyrenia
Despite these and other Holy men history tells us that then known world centre on Roma and the Middle East was in turmoil at the time of Christs miracle birth; the Roman regime was brutal any from of threat to the supremacy of the Emperor was met with a stinging riposte although they permitted their local Governors and appointed titular local rulers some autonomy even to the point where King Herod of Judeo having heard of Christs birth ordered him to be slain hence Joseph and Marys escape to Egypt where they remained until Herods death.
Although essentially a Muslim country Christmas is enthusiastically celebrated in the TRNC with Turkish Cypriots and the expatriate community joining together to mark Christs birth on the traditional date of 25th December. Happily this date is close to the Muslim Eid AlAdha Bayram on 20th December so there is a mood of celebration across all communities during the latter days of December; and then theres the New Year at the end of the month proving yet another fine opportunity for intercommunal merriment.
Reports reaching Reality North Cyprus Magazine indicate that top hotels in the Kyrenia area like Hotel Sempati at Lapta and Alsancaks Merit Crystal Cove are all fully booked for their Christmas packages. Similarly most restaurants many owner and operated by Turkish Cypriots families are reporting that there special Christmas Lunch afternoons are being snapped up; so if you want a traditional Roast Turkey tuckin with all the usual accoutrements pick up the phone and book today.Readers who wish to celebrate Christs coming to deliver His Messianic promise for the whole of mankind by attending church services will find details of the Christian Services in the local daily or weekly newspapers. Look for announcements fot The Church of St George the Nestorian in Famagusta St Andrews Church in central Kyernia the Roman Catholic Church to the rear of the Rocks Hotel and the magnificent Maronite Church at Korucam.
Of course Christmas is a special time for the children; their excitement during the build up to Father Christmas arriving on Christmas Eve is always a pleasure and delight for us grown ups. In North Cyprus all the shops and stores are lit up with seasonal lights and glitter with images of Father Christmas everywhere; even the staff catch the mood by wearing tinsel and red bobble hats with white fur trimming.Yes North Cyprus is a great to be during the Christmas season; for Muslims Christians Jews atheists and agnostics alike unlike many parts of Britain where the polically correct interferers want to suppress the festival in case it offends religious minorities. Most odd!On New Years Eve in the Kyrenia area many will congregate at the square! At the top of the town near the Municipality Offices to join the festivities and enjoy a spectacular firework display put on by Mayor Sumer Ayg?n; this always proves to be a special occasion when revelers from all communities in the TRNC join hands and hug each other to welcome in the New Year and offer good wishes for the months ahead.
About the writer: Write about cyprus villageslove to write about cyprus visiting village and historiacal places lots of information for cyprus visitorsNorth Cyprus Hotels
Can I Wear Sneakers In Paris?
In this article the Senior Editor of ParisEiffelTowerNews Phil Chavanne discusses the role of sneakers as fashion accessories in Paris.
I can’t count the number of times travelers who asked me: Should I wear sneakers in Paris?’ and other variations of the same question. American tourists especially are concerned about not fitting in’ with inappropriate shoes.
That attitude is remarkable indeed. Dressing so as not to shock the sensitivity of the locals: how much more considerate can you get? I can only give kudos to all of you who ever asked the question or thought about it!
Parisians and sneakers
Many firsttime visitors to France and Paris are convinced that all French women are pictureperfect fashionistas. This is vastly exaggerated even though access to stylish clothing and everything fashion is easy in Paris where Elle’ magazine still dictates what’s in and out.
Yet I don’t find such a big difference in perennial tastes in the streets of Paris and in NewYork avenues. Even though variations do exist leading brands are international in nature and they are imitated everywhere. Globalization and imitations tend to homogenize fashion making everyday wear look similar in large cities like Paris London Milan and NYC.
But the question about sneakers remains valid. Sneakers have become such a commodity in the US how is it in Paris?
At first glance I would venture there is hardly as many women wearing sneakers in Paris as in New York during the work week. The generally accepted business dress code in France looks down on sneakers. Therefore unless her employer cultivates a younger sporty image the Parisian woman wears discreetlooking city shoes to go to work.
Yet sneakers are the it’ shoe when they become design icons. Adidas Puma and Nike each have their own stores in Paris where dozens of different models are on display. Judging by the crowds these shops attract none of these brands suffer from popularity deficit disorder in Paris.
So what’s the major difference in shoeattitude between the American female consumer and the French female consumer? The latter will wear sneakers as design items not as workaday shoes. She won’t buy sneakers for comfort. She will buy sneakers if they compliment dressdown pants and make them look smarter. She will buy sneakers which make her feet look thin small and classy.
A mere glance at the types of sneakers most commonly seen on women’s feet in Paris is telling: you won’t see any wide cushy comfylooking plain vanilla sneakers. You will see small thinlooking flatsole designer sneakers.
For the very same reasons a pair of escarpins’ by Stephane Kelian or Prada will always be favored over a pair of Pumas. Shoes are a fashion statement and the more understated it is the better.
And that’s another major difference between French and American woman. Understatement is a cardinal rule in French fashion. Anything that is too visible is considered garish. This is why the French little black dress is such a fashion icon and why Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly will always be remembered as the’ American fashionable ladies.
Tourists and sneakers
Does all this mean you can’t wear sneakers when you travel to Paris? Of course not!
First of all sneakers can be comfortable walking shoes. And walk you will in Paris. The very best way to discover the city is to walk along its streets. Wearing shoes in which you feel comfortable walking 10 miles a day at a leisurely pace is a majorly important decision for the general mood of your stay in the French capital.
Do not back off from wearing sneakers if these are your best walking shoes. And if you have even better walking shoes pack them even if they make you look like you are on a trekking trip!
Frankly you should not ask yourself this question. Who cares about how you look in the street? Don’t be selfconscious just be comfortable in your shoes. You are a visitor these are your vacations this is your very own time! Jeans and sneakers are international. People won’t be offended by your looks. Unless you dress in pink tops and electric blue pants with golden sneakers and JackieO shades nobody around will have any second thoughts about your attire.
And if they ever notice your jeans LL Bean trekking shoes and Patagonia jacket well push come to shove they might think you’re American. And so what? In all likelihood they will appreciate your visiting Paris.
Restaurants and sneakers
Now does it mean you can wear sneakers everywhere on any and every occasion? Probably not.
Restaurants are a case in point. Can you dine out in sneakers?
Say you are strolling along in your casual jeans and comfortable Lands End boots. It’s now dinner time and you are looking for an enticing restaurant. There is it! The menu displayed outside is appetizing prices are reasonably expensive the place is not too crowded… but guests are dressed smartly. Will they let you in? Will you fit in?
I have yet to see in Paris a door sign indicating No Sneakers Allowed In’. True some highbrow places will expertly leave you at bay: “Do you have a reservation? Sorry we are full tonight”. But generally speaking no restaurant will refuse to seat you because you wear sneakers.
The right question is therefore not Will they allow me in?’ but Will you feel comfortable entering a dressy place in sneakers?’ I daresay probably not. And being selfconscious is not the best way to enjoy your meal. Your attention should be in your plate and on your food not on your shoes and attire.
So my practical rule is Dress according to the place you go to’. If you plan to dine out at expensive dressy restaurants when you are in Paris just pack your Pradas. Even better: visit Stephane Kelian’s and Robert Clergerie’s boutiques in Paris and buy yourself greatlooking footwear by these typically Parisian designers.
Other places and sneakers
There are other places where sneakers just won’t cut it.
The Opera House is definitely one of them. But who would be so foolish as not to dress up for opera night? The sneaker point is moot.
What about a cabaret? I would say it is much better to dress up when you have dinner at a cabaret like Moulin Rouge’ Lido’ and Paradis Latin’. Though only the stage is well lit in these places the fact is people around you will usually be dressed up. You will feel much more comfortable in some more formal wear.
How about the boats on the Seine? If you are boarding a boat for a dinner cruise don’t wear sneakers. This is a romantic experience you will want to make the most of it. An evening dress is de rigueur’. On the other hand if you simply want to cruise up and down the stream sneakers are fine.
Museums? Forget style wear very comfortable shoes. Nobody will look at your shoes art is on the walls. But walking down the Louvre galleries is a tiring experience: so much too see so many galleries so slow the pace. The good doctor’s advice: go with cushion and comfort.
Art gallery vernissages’? Style is your cue. Art galleries are small vernissage evenings are short. Evening dress black preferably nothing flashy and goodlooking design shoes. No sneakers.
Wrapup
Dress according to the place you go to. If in doubt call in advance to understand the dress code. Pack up a nice pair of shoes or buy some when you are in Paris. Bring a nice understated evening dress.
But don’t shy away from sneakers for any notsoformal occasion. Wear them in the street with no shame. You will blend in without any problem if you wear jeans and a pair of sneakers. Nike is an American brand and it is very popular in France. Levi’s Diesel Wrangler and Calvin Klein are American brands and they rule the jeans world in France too.
So be comfortable in your sneakers and enjoy the view.
About the writer: Phil Chavanne is Senior Editor of ParisEiffelTowerNews.com a travel guide in which people heading for the French capital will find good advices and valuable information about Paris hotels museums French food and restaurants as well as Paris maps and metro maps.
