2007 December | Travel Light

Archive for December, 2007

Hello 2008

2007
12.30

Portrait House is now sporting a new look and a new name, “Travel Light“. This website will carry the usual lifestyle-chopsuey theme written in a fun, light-hearted manner. I have recently added “travel” in the list of categories because I think I will travel some more in the future. I want to see the world.

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I have been tagged by Connie

1. Do you have plans to change careers? Why or Why not?
NO. I love what I do.

2. What work related goal would you like to achieve this year?
Work with the best people in the industry and learn from them. And get started with the small business chuva.

3. If you were to attend a school reunion which would you attend: Grade School, High School, College/University? Why?
Grade school because I have not seen my classmates for 2 decades now.

4. Which local tourist destination do you plan to visit this year?
Mayan has been constantly bugging me to visit her beloved Naga City. Since food and lodging and lakwatsa are free, I might one of these days.

5. Which foreign destination do you wish to visit this year?
Hong Kong Disneyland!!!

6. If you were to suggest a New Year’s Resolution to your local official, what would it be?
Stop corrupting our money.

7. If you were to learn one thing this year, what would it be?
Design my own web template/theme. I have been relying too much on WP themes. It’s time to create my own.

8. What do you regret about 2007? How do you plan to make up for it this 2008?
None. Next year is another chance for me to do better.

I’m tagging everyone who gets to read this.
A blessed 2008 to all of us

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Bonfire Night

2007
12.30

Tags: British celebration, life in london, London, vacation
Posted in Around the world, Celebrations | 1 Comment »

Pyrotechnics lit up the whole of United Kingdom’s skyline every 5th of November. It is not an advanced New Year’s Day celebration. The British used to call it the Gunpowder Plot until it became popularly known as the Bonfire Night.

This rather quaint British celebration commemorates the time in 1605 when a man named Guy Fawkes, together with four Catholic dissenters, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder. It is said that King James 1, the monarch who authorized the printing of another version of the Bible (known as the King James Version), was also inside the Parliament building to open the session. The 17th century bomber was caught and executed.

Tradition dictates that days before the Bonfire night, children would go around the neighborhood asking for money with a human effigy of Guy Fawkes made in paper and cloth sitting on a pram. After collecting money, they would buy fircrackers and wait for November 5 to burn Fawke’s effigy on a bonfire.

In present day Britain, people are advised to visit specific areas to watch pyrotechnics shows. The celebration starts even the day before November 5 and the entire colorful display could go on for hours.

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The Green Park

2007
12.28

Tags: life in london, London, vacation
Posted in Around the world | No Comments »

Welcome to Narnia.

The Green Park was our second stop after breezing through the overcrowded Buckingham Palace. It is located near St James’ Park and Hyde Park, just across the Queen’s lair.

This 40-acre Royal Park is populated with century-old trees that are as tall as the buildings around it. It was autumn and all trees were rendered leafless by mid October frost, so you can imagine how green this place is on spring and summer. Most people crossed the park to get to their destinations quick. My cousin told me that this was a favorite picnic spot during summer, its paths for joggers and commuters. Its surrounding neighbors include Constitution Hill, Piccadilly, the Broad Walk and Buckingham Palace. The nearest underground station is Green Park which is located at the side of London’s Ritz Hotel. Buses have routes going to this site.

I wondered if these were talking giant trees. I’ve never seen trees this big my entire life.

The Green Park used to be a famous duelling site in the 16th century before it became known as Upper St. James’ Park after Charles II worked on its expansion. Prior to that, the Green Park also served as venue where rebellion took place against the marriage of Mary I to Philip II of Spain.

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Changing The Guard

2007
12.25

Tags: British tourist destinations, Buckingham Palace, Central London, changing the guard, London
Posted in Around the world | No Comments »

Chasing the guards: One of the two mounted regiments known as the Queen’s Life Guards. They wear metal helmets, white plumes and red tunics.

It was by pure accident that we have learned about the schedule of Changing The Guard that day. (It was December 3rd.) We saw a bunch of people running across Green Park towards the gate near Buckingham Palace. Hundreds of eager spectators swarmed across the palace gates to witness this particular scenario.

Another group of the mounted regiment.

The Changing the Guard ceremony is probably one of the oldest and best attractions London has to offer. It normally starts at 11am during weekdays and 10am on Sundays. Schedule also varies during summer and winter and state/parliamentary occasions.

People and tourists came running to see the colorful parade.

This colorful army tradition dates back to the late 14th century, during the reign of Henry VII. They were known then as Household Troops who guard the Sovereign (the reigning British king or queen). The Household Division is composed of seven regiments: two Mounted Regiments known as The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals and five Regiments of Foot Guards – the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards and the Welsh Guards.

Mounted police officer took charge of the traffic in front of the palace gates.

More than just ceremonial guards, they are also highly-skilled professional soldiers who are on active military service to the British crown and have engaged in many of the world’s fiercest battles.

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A Christmas Message

2007
12.24

Posted in Why you believe | 1 Comment »

There are some of us who wonder why this season often comes with an empty gift box, a shallow laughter, a bland feast, a melancholic sound on the radio. Its meaning drowned in a bottle of Coke or lost in an empty call card. It was part of the mundane, just another day to get us by. Call this time superfluous, nevertheless its excesses we often crave. But there would always be a soul out there desperate enough to find purpose even in a slab of ham.

I invite you to go back to where it all started. There may you find answers to quiet your doubts and rest to your weary soul.

Travel Light

The world around me.