Archive for the ‘Around the world’ Category

Haiti: History and mystery

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

When people say “Carribean”, the first things that come to mind are sunny skies, blue seas, beach huts, Marvin Gaye, voodoo and cruises. Haiti may share those blue sunny skies with their Carribean neighbors, but situation on the land surface is not at all picture-perfect.

I couldn’t pinpoint where Haiti exactly was until the January 12 earthquake caught us all in shock. Haiti went back to spotlight no longer carrying bad news of ousted or exiled presidents, but photos of a country in ruins. International support came pouring in, but we just don’t know how long it will sustain the lives of 3 million Haitians badly hit by this calamity.

Perhaps, for most Haitians, life has not been better for the past 200 years. Their history was marked by colonial rule, slave revolts, dictatorship, military juntas and economic sabotage. Haiti was considered as one of the richest colonies of France in the 19th century, but that was a reputation made on the backs of African slaves. Then there was their first taste of independence, a couple of years ahead than the United States. But the glory was short-lived. France asked Haiti to pay back 90 million francs as reparations for the damages on properties and loss of slaves the uprising caused them. It forced the young republic to take on high-interest loans to pay off that debt, eating up a huge chunk on their yearly national budget that should have been allocated to social and economic programs. Having two unpopular voodoo doctors turned presidents-for-life didn’t help either. Haiti sank in deeper as most of its people thrived under fear and poverty.

It was Voodoo that allows them to escape their harsh reality. So don’t wonder if it shares the same altar with Catholicism. For an average Haitian, lines to heaven are busy he might just need an alternative. A back up just in case the white man’s god has been sleeping.

We do all face the same music of suffering inspired by wars, greedy governments, debts, Outer banks foreclosures, family strife, loss of lives, battles with nature, etc. But life isn’t all magic. People need to get their acts together.

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Destination Pagudpud

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Mayan and I have been talking about the trip to Ilocos Norte this month. But I am not really sure to make it, due to pressing things like keeping a secured budget for a skills training, attending Saturday classes and paying off an obligation that is about to end next month. First quarter is quite hectic already. Not to mention there’s a day job that sits on top of my priority list.

I know. It’s not new orleans la. But don’t worry, I am more likely to see the place this summer. Yey.

I haven’t been to the northernmost part of the country. The farthest was Baguio and that was about 3 years ago. Ilocos Norte, being a former home to deposed President Marcos, has so much to offer from bagnet, the legendary stone houses of Vigan to the pristine beaches of Pagudpud. A trip to this place up north makes everything worthwhile, as you get to tour around a number of places you don’t often find in other local destinations.

Of course, if you’re a beach bum, Pagudpud is top-of-mind.

The only hassle in reaching the place is the 8 to 12 hours worth butt-breaking bus ride from Manila. It’s 350 miles away. But there are already other options as well. Private vans offer Manila-Ilocos-Manila transfers, and side trips to Batac, Laoag and Vigan. But if you want to spend more time on shore than you do on the bus, go for the plane. Philippine Airlines and some local carriers offer trips to Laoag City.

If you are to travel this month, which is by the way an off season for them, you can allot a budget of P5000-7000. That’s good for 3 days and 2 nights, inclusive of plane or bus fare and service vehicle, hotel accommodation, and meals. Not bad.

Here’s the map.

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Burj Khalifa At The Top

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Everyone I knew who saw the unveiling of Burj Khalifa in Dubai last Monday over CNN was stunned at the sight of this newest landmark beaming with Eiffel Tower-like fireworks which you only get to see during New Year countdowns on an Asian TV. It was a magnificent 165-storey structure towering at almost half a mile (2,717 feet to be exact), making it the tallest structure in the world. The former title holder since 2004 was Taipei 101 at 1,667 feet.

The building changed its name from Burj Dubai (Dubai Building) tp Burj Khalifa. It was in honor of the living monarch of neighboring Abu Dhabi, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who rescued Dubai from its billion dollar debt last year.

My Dubai-based friends, husband and wife Lakay and Maj, recently went on top of Burj Khalifa and took a dozen of photos. The view from top was simply breathtaking, with Burj al-Arab and other low-rise structures below.

If you plan to visit, entrance tickets are priced at 100 AED for adults and 75 AED for children. Take your cameras with you. Sell cigars and go bungee-jumping when no one’s looking.

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