tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40513252241605613202024-02-21T22:33:48.062-08:00SHIKUSSara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051325224160561320.post-75540073827276038922022-02-14T10:12:00.002-08:002022-02-14T10:32:07.341-08:00An answer to Yuzuru Hanyu's question: "Did I do something to be disliked by the ice?"<p><span style="background-color: #f4f4f4; color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I have asked myself many
times, how obsessed has Yuzuru Hanyu become with the quad axel, the one
impossible jump that no one has ever landed?</span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: #f4f4f4; color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt;">How many dreams, and nightmares, has he seen about it? How many times a
day does he think about it? Or does he ever stop thinking about it?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(244, 244, 244); color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Now this is a jump that
pushes the boundaries of human physics. The skater lands with the force of five
to ten times their body weight. I find it so intriguing that having
practiced for years without results, Yuzuru decided to give the quad axel jump
a go, twice, in the 2022 Olympics, jeopardizing his chances to get a medal as
he lost points due to major mistakes, as expected from falling. This speaks so
much for him as a person, as a rare person! People ask: “Why did he do it”? At
the end of the day, it’s all about the incentives. Would Yuzuru have tried to land
the gravity-defying jump in competition, if he did not own already an Olympics gold?
I doubt it. It’s simply that for some people, owing one, or even two Olympics golds
is not history enough. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(244, 244, 244); color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Owing already two Olympics
gold medals, I would think it’s quite clear that the obsession with leaving a
great legacy and making history is such that we can easily compare it to the
ancient Greek heroes. It’s about pursuing that eternal honour, fame, admiration
and respect, ensuring the name and legacy will carry on long after being gone
from this world, inspiring others, making humanity believe that something so
basic, like our own body, can achieve so much. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(244, 244, 244); color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">And I admire Yuzuru if he has
actually been pursuing what I’ve just described above. It may also be that he
just likes to win, and have a purely ego-centric will to succeed, not for the
legacy, as you know, everything ends when we leave this world! You never know
what is going on the head of one of such a human. I would actually love to know
which one of the two is the drive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(244, 244, 244); color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">You really have to believe
you are that chosen one from the God (a.k.a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>winner in probability for the atheist reader) to
be able to accumulate within yourself such strength and motivation, to dedicate
a good chunk of your life to something that sounds to silly to the rest of us,
normal human, a jump!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(244, 244, 244); color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">So Yuzuru, after this
Olympics disappointing experience has asked: "Did I do something to be
disliked by the ice?" I’d be surprised if he is really looking for an answer,
rather than this being a rhetorical question. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(244, 244, 244); color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I can immediately think of
the answer. There is an ancient advice, coming as an inscription on the
entrance of the ancient Delphi temple, a place that I believe, if Yuzuru had
lived 2500 years ago, would have sent his advisor to, for advice from the Oracle whether to
try to quad axel or not. And this place is no joke: It has shaped the history
of the world, as major battles and conquests took place just because of the prophecies
given there by the Oracle of Apollo.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(244, 244, 244); color: #353535; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">At the entrance it was
written: “Nothing in excess” and “Know thyself”. In line with this, I think the
Oracle would have said ‘Do not try’. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is also in line with the main message that comes from numerous texts and philosophies
from the ancient world: “Don’t try to become a God!”. This was said because it
was believed that trying to become a God, would make the Gods angry and jealous,
and you would have to pay for it. Although maybe they had the wrong explanation
(I would however not want to plunge into a discussion of issues that properly
pertain to that era and maybe even to the Gods, a very thing which I seek to
avoid), the message I believe is still relevant today. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me it seems that the ‘punishment’ from the
Ice God is not only not winning, but also the mental challenges and countless
sleepless nights Yuzuru must be going through, while he has obsessed himself
with becoming a super-human. I guess this
is the price to pay in the quest for eternal glory and some people, either brave
or crazy, choose it this way! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So t</span>he answer to this question is not just about for this competition... <o:p></o:p></span></p>Sara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051325224160561320.post-45919509315419899412021-01-13T12:39:00.005-08:002021-01-13T12:40:26.181-08:00Historia e dyqanit të tregtarit Elbasanas Mustafa Shiku<p><span style="color: #404040; text-align: justify;">Sonte, në një mbrëmje të ftohtë në
Londer, shikoj tek Arkivi Digjital i Elbasanit një foto që gjithmonë ngjall
emocione të forta tek une. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124; font-size: 10.5pt; text-align: justify;">Ë</span><span style="color: #404040; text-align: justify;">shtë fotoja e dyqanit të stërgjyshit
tim, Mustafa Shiku, ndryshe i njohur si Muç Shiku. E kam parë shpesh, por pak
kam ditur deri tani rreth asaj godine t</span><span style="color: #404040; text-align: justify;">ë</span><span style="color: #404040; text-align: justify;"> bukur dykatesh</span><span style="color: #404040; text-align: justify;">ë</span><span style="color: #404040; text-align: justify;"> dhe rreth stërgjyshit tim, prandaj vendos
të zbuloj pak më shumë rreth kësaj tabloje kaq familjare për shumë prej nesh.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmVWrzIz36clKhFkPOnR3Cs9YRAsDogQUHKQeK4_kI329jEzlpSKqCnpx1MU2EhZ1cfW4G0-GngpVuvGhPeq13BILWk-vw-vqFWGrN82xKUJGXtuVlSrU84bLxOpAhbp6nnZNqQaPr-Q/s480/rrapi.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmVWrzIz36clKhFkPOnR3Cs9YRAsDogQUHKQeK4_kI329jEzlpSKqCnpx1MU2EhZ1cfW4G0-GngpVuvGhPeq13BILWk-vw-vqFWGrN82xKUJGXtuVlSrU84bLxOpAhbp6nnZNqQaPr-Q/s16000/rrapi.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pikture e Pazarit te Bezistanit ne Elbasan ku duket dyqani dykatesh i Mustafa Shikut. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;">Disa gjëra thone se i ke në gen. Kështu besoj se unë kam
‘shpirtin e tregtarit’, sepse jam pasardhëse e një ndër tregtarëve më të njohur
të Elbasanit. Ndoshta jo rastësisht, familja Shiku vazhdon të jetë familje me
emër tregtaresh në Elbasan. Ndërsa flas me të vjetrit e familjes sime, mësoj më
shumë për njeriun që e njohin si tregtar, por që ka qenë dhe tej mase arsim-dashes,
i apasionuar pas diturisë dhe gjërave të bukura, dhe tejet i respektuar në
rrethin e njerëzve me influence të kohës.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;">Muç Shiku ishte një lexues i palodhur dhe kishte një
bibioletekë me nam në Elbasan. Dinte disa gjuhë të huaja, Turqishten e vjetër,
Arabisht, Persisht dhe Italisht. Ndërsa te dije Turqisht në ato vite ishte si të
dish gjuhën Angleze sot, nuk e dijmë nga ku Muc Shiku kishte mësuar gjuhën
Perse. Pjesë e bibliotekës së cmuar që kemi trasheguar deri më sot përmban dhe
libra në ketë gjuhë. Gjithashtu, një i vjeter i familjes më thotë qe kur ishte
fëmijë, Muci i ka thënë disa herë qe t’ia mësoje Persishten.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;">Ndërsa dëgjoj më shumë rreth jetës së tij, futem në një
botë tjetër, në periudhen kur Elbasani ishte një qender e rëndësishme ekonomike.
Tregu i Bezistanit gëlon nga njerëzit; cirakët sistemojne mallin e porsaardhur nga
zejet, tregtarët numurojnë frangat e arit dhe përcjellin klientët me një buzëqeshje
fisnike. Eshte Elbasani i viteve 1930-40.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;">Imagjinoj stërgjyshin tim, bashkë me nje shok, të ndaloje
pak tek porta e kalasë para Bezistanit, ku femijët jane duke pirë ujë. S’kishte
shumë që ishte kthyer nga udhëtimi tejet i gjatë për të marrë furnizim ne Leipzig
të Gjermanisë, ku kishte qenë bashkë me përkthyesin e tij Hungarez, i cili
dinte dhe Turqisht. Herë të tjera mallrat i porosiste nga Italia dhe i merrte në
portin e Durrësit. Meqë kishte shumë ndodhi të rrugëtimit për t’i treguar
shokut, e fton të shkojnë bashke tek dyqani i vogel, që gjendët perballë kalasë,
mu aty ku tani janë lodrat e fëmijëve. Me shokun per qejf flet herë Turqisht, e
herë Persishten e vjetër teksa i tregon ndodhitë e udhëtimit nëpër Europë.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;">Dyqani tjeter, ai dykatësh para rrapit të Bezistanit
gjendet vetëm pak metra më tej. Por Muc Shiku pëlqen më shumë të rrije tek
dyqani i vogël. Këtu shiten bojra, për cdo gjë, kryesisht për të lyer leshin me
të cilin bëhen rrobat nëpër zeje. Boja më e mirë dhe për të cilën vijne nga cdo
cep, është boja me xixa. Ky dyqani i vogël në fakt, bën më shumë punë se dyqani
i madh dykatësh para Rrapit të Bezistanit. Ndoshta sepse Muci rri vetë aty, dhe
është një tregtar i shkëlqyer.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pasi përcjell mikun, Muci mendon të kalojë një herë nga
dyqani i madh, ku zakonisht lë cirakun e tij, Sul Qorrin, i cili duke ndenjur
aty nisi të njihej si Sul Shiku. Këtë dyqan e ka blerë në vitin 1924. Tek
tabela sipër derës, thuhet se shkruhej ‘Vogelsinar’ dhe fasada e jashtme është
e zbukuruar me shumë shije. Dyqani është i arreduar me drru dhe i projektuar
nga një arkitekt Italian, prandaj duket krejt ndryshe nga dyqanet e tjera të
Bezistanit. Teksa futesh brenda, menjëherë ve re se sa i larte është tavani i
katit të parë, dhe syte të shkojnë tek gjërat e ekspozuara ne ballkonin e
brendshem që arkitekti ka krijuar brenda dyqanit. Aty gjenden të vena bukur
veglat muzikore dhe sendet e kabashme, ndërsa në katin e parë gjenden bicikletat,
artikujt e kancelarisë, parfumeria dhe vogëlsina të tjera. Kati i dytë është i
projektuar për shtëpi, por Muci e mban si magazinë për mallrat që i shet me
shumicë, me të cilat furnizohen dyqanet në Elbasan dhe në vende të ndryshme të
Shqipërisë, por dhe në Kosovë e Maqedoni.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;">Ngadalë zbret shkallët për në bodrum, kur sytë i shkojnë
tek disa monedha ari në dysheme. Shpesh këto monedha binin dhe rrokullisesin
duke u futur nëpër të carat e dërrasave. Thuhet se ky është i vetmi dyqan në
Elbasan me bodrum. Muci kujtohet sesi gjatë gërmimeve me arkitektin Italian per
ndërtimin e dyqanit, ato gjejnë një mozaik, dhe disa relike të lashta, një
shpatë, një përkrenare. Bashkë me arkitektin mbajtën shënime rreth
vendndodhjes, shënime të cilat dhjetra vite më vonë u deshen per të zbuluar
mozaikun që sot gjendet pranë Rrapit të Bezistanit.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;">Mësoj se të dy dyqanet kryenin qarkullim goxha të madh
mallrash, gjë që pasqyrohej, sipas të dhënave të familjarëve, Xhaferrit, Ndricimit,
nuses Nazmije etj, në sasitë e mëdha të arit që silleshin në shtëpi me arka. Këto
monedha mbaheshin në enë qelqi me kapak, të quajtura “ball”. Si shumë tregtarë
të tjerë, pas clirimit Muc Shiku u detyrua të paguante si tatim të jashtëzakonshëm
një shumë prej dy million franga ari. Si pak të tjerë, ai ishte në gjendje t’a
paguante këtë gjobë, dhe e pagoi të plotë, për t’i shpëtuar fatit akoma më të
tmerrshem që do t’a priste nën regjimin komunist në të kundërt. Më tej regjimi
komunist ia mori dyqanin nën kuadrin e mohimit të pronës private. U nda nga
jeta në Shkurt të vitit 1967…</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #404040; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pikturën e Rrapit të Bezistanit me dyqanin në sfond, e
kemi të varur në mur në shumë shtëpi të familjes Shiku. Prandaj kur e shikoj, më
kujtohen plot gjëra, familja, shtëpia, dhe qyteti im, Elbasani. Besoj se shumë
prej Elbasanllinjve të tjerë e kanë pikërisht po këtë tablo të bukur të Bezistanit
në shtëpitë e tyre. Shpresoj që të kem hedhur pak dritë rreth historisë së asaj
godine te bukur dhe njerëve që i dhanë asaj jetë.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Sara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051325224160561320.post-65533717345880550922017-11-22T03:13:00.000-08:002018-01-06T04:40:15.399-08:00Armiku fisnik <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CqdDnIefLTNcdDrjc-_7s0oQ05MEEp_OeA98UtxzMJSaQV9oEI6A_JvX1iexr5Cit4zk70qYXctGcUEt4qRAdDHgnwsMELcP3hQjXnPSnjgO_Ubc4CS3F8xSElNZEF8aDN7pWR3pwYI/s1600/Armiku+fisnik2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CqdDnIefLTNcdDrjc-_7s0oQ05MEEp_OeA98UtxzMJSaQV9oEI6A_JvX1iexr5Cit4zk70qYXctGcUEt4qRAdDHgnwsMELcP3hQjXnPSnjgO_Ubc4CS3F8xSElNZEF8aDN7pWR3pwYI/s320/Armiku+fisnik2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A eshte e djathta politike e ndershme? Edhe pse #raisedright, kete pyetje ia kam bere shpesh vetes. Shume nga ne, te djathtet, kemi nje percmim te ekzagjeruar ndaj filozofise se majte. Qellimi i ketij shkrimi nuk eshte kritikimi i njeres filozofi, por eksplorimi i te perbashketave dhe dallimeve mes te dyjave.</div>
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Fillimisht me duhet te dalloj fjalen 'fisnike' nga 'e ndershme'. </div>
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Fisnik - te kesh apo te tregosh cilesi te shkelqyera personale dhe parime te larta morale, psh nje person fisnik i cili mban fjalen. </div>
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I ndershem - te jesh me integritet dhe te gezosh respekt ne lidhje me meritat, zotesite dhe arritjet personale, psh nje mjek i nderuar, nje mesues i respektuar. </div>
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Te nisim me mendimin e 'armikut' te majte. Cfare besojne te majtet? Me nje permbledhje te shkurter, konceptet kryesore liberale jane kufinjte e hapur, subvencione te medha nga shteti (arsimi, shendetesia, banesa, transporti etj), barazi e forcuar e tregut privat, barazi e rezultateve dhe liri personale per aq sa i perket bindjeve te tyre ideologjike. </div>
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Pyetja qe shtrohet eshte perse te majtet besojne ne keto koncepte. Nisim nga kufinjte e hapur; te majtet mendojne se eshte faji i shtetit, me teper se i individit, qe disa qytetare jane me te varfer se te tjeret. Ata besojne se me ane te kufinjve te hapur, ata qe jetojne ne kushte te veshtira si pasoje e keq-qeverisjes se vendeve te tyre te origjines, mund te gjejne nje jete me te mire si emigrante ne nje shtet tjeter (socialist). Deri diku ky mendim eshte i sakte, megjithate kohet e fundit kjo marre nje permase te madhe, sepse emigrimi eshte promovuar si i drejte edhe pse perballimi i flukese te medha emigranteve shpesh kerkon nje sakrifikim te resurseve te vendeve pritese. Pra kendveshtrimi socialist pranon nje sakrifice te nje vendi dhe qytetareve te tij, per te ndihmuar te tjeret. A eshte kjo fisnike? Po. Nga ana tjeter, kjo implikon dhe nje lloj supermacie, pasi liberalet besojne se shteti i tyre eshte me i afte dhe i zote t'i garantoje nje jete me te mire emigranteve se vendi i tyre i origjines. A eshte kjo e ndershme? Mendoj se jo. Te majtet, te cilet jane kunder imperializmit, duhet te dine se shume prej konflikteve ne keto vende jane deri diku pasoje e poltikave te vendeve perendimore. Nuk eshte e ndershme qe ndersa pohon se shtetet perendimore nuk duhet te nderhyjne ne punet e vendeve te tjera, te implikosh ne te njejten kohe qe vendet perendimore jane superiore dhe te afta t'i ofrojne qytetareve te vendeve te tjera kushte me te mira jetese. </div>
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Vazhdojme me konceptet e barazise qe te majtet besojne. Ata kerkojne qe te gjithe te kene te garantuara nga shteti sherbime dhe produkte (banesa, asistenca sociale, sherbim shendetesor, transport), sepse ne thelb filozofia e majte beson se bota eshte 'e padrejte'. Te majtet nuk mund te pranojne qe padrejtesi ndodhin (madje edhe njerezve te mire), dhe te mohosh kete do te thote te mos njohesh apo te pranosh ligjet e natyres. Cfare i ben liberalet te mendojne ne kete menyre dhe te mohojne ligjet darviniste? Egoja dhe lakmia. te majtet shohin nje bote ku te tjeret kane me shume se to, ndersa nese jane te pasur, shohin te tjere qe kane me shume se me te varfrit. Te majtet pra nisen nga lakmia, ata shohin vetem ato gjera qe nuk i kane, apo ate qe te tjeret kane me shume. Besoj se ky eshte dhe dallimi kryesor psikologjik qe nje i majte ka nga nje i djathte. Mendimi i majte kerkon nje bote ku te majtit t'i jepet me shume, ndersa mendimi i djathte kerkon nje permiresim te vazhdueshem te individit, ne menyre qe ai te behet me i afte dhe te mund te perfitoje me shume. Njera pale beson tek bamiresia per me te dobetit, tjetra beson tek permbushja e detyrimeve e gjithesecilit per te qene te suksesshem. Te dyja pikepamjet jane fisnike. E majta beson se jo gjithcka varet nga aftesite dhe perpjekjet e tua, dhe nese nuk ia del, te tjeret duhet te te ndihmojne, tjetra beson se puna dhe perkushtimi shperblehen, dhe me i afti shperblehet me shume. Per mendimin tim, respektin e gezon i djathti, i cili punon dhe 'nuk pret nga te tjeret'. </div>
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Pavaresisht kesaj, te dyja pikepamjet e permbajne egon dhe narcisizmin. Te majtet duan te ndihmojne ata qe ane ne nevoje jo sepse vertete i dhimbsen, por sepse kjo i ben ata te 'ndiehen mire' me veten. Te djathtet, nga ana tjeter, duan te 'duken mire' duke lavderuar pikepamjen e tyre nga ana intelektuale. Shpesh themi, per t'a kthyer nje te majte ne te djathte, mesoji parimet e ekonomiksit. Argumentat tona i cilesojme si te sakta, te bazuara ne fakte, studime, statistika dhe ligjet e natyres. Te dyja palet argumentojne ne menyre te tille qe te tregojne superioritet, qofte moral apo intelektual. Ne si te djathte pranojme qe ndjenja e superioritetit eshte e lindur me njeriun dhe nuk mund te mohohet. Te majtet e kundershtojne kete me fjale, por jo me veprime. Keto kontradikta te brendshme te mendimit te majte jane te njohura. Kjo eshte dhe ironia e mendimit te majte, qe eshte pse fisnik, shpesh ketij te fundit i mungon ndershmeria. </div>
Sara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051325224160561320.post-48827643444991030882017-11-13T09:43:00.000-08:002017-11-13T09:43:59.930-08:00Pre-reading book review: Freakonomics by Levitt & DubnerI discovered this book while reading some economics blogs, and decided to read it after many praises for one of the authors; Levitt who was awarded the American Economic Association's John Bates Clark Medal, awarded every two years to the best American economist under forty.<br />
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This is not a very common review; while most people write reviews after reading a book, I decided to write a review after reading only its first 50 pages. I will write what I think about freakonomics as far as I understand now, and when I finish reading, I will write a second review which will reflect how my thoughts have changed.<br />
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So far I have read the explanatory note, the introduction, <i>The Hidden Side of Everything</i>, and the first essay, <i>What do Schoolteachers and Sumo Wrestlers have in Common</i>? As far as I can understand, freakonomics is about explaining the modern life using simple economics concepts. I love the idea, as I also try to explain things in a very positive way and I normally prefer the positive views rather than the normative one (this is rather useful for example when trying to explain the failures of communism). Freakonomics is about looking at some events and trying to explain them in an unconventional way, by using the economic logic, rather than equations. You will however need to have an idea of the principles of economics and its fundamental elements to really enjoy the book and connect the dots. I know some people might recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about economics, but I personally don't think this is a great idea. It would be better to do it the other way around; learn about economics and then read the book.<br />
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The first essay '<i>Schoolteachers and Sumo Wrestlers</i>' is about the morals. The topic is very nicely demonstrated by the story of a man who operated a bagel business based on voluntary donations on bagels taken. The story is also linked with 'The ring of Gynes' which also reminds me of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. All stories have in common something; invisibility: a ring in the case of LOTR, a mantel in Harry Potter. The question is: Would you be immoral if no one was able to see you? A strong incentive for being morally acceptable is of course society, but up to what point is it? According to the story of bagels, Levitt says that at least 87 percent of the time, a man would resist temptation to be evil if nobody can witness their acts. Is it so easy to measure the morals? Can we draw conclusions from a single case of bagels sale? I wouldn't, but this is of course a very original way of trying to measure the morals. Having an unbiased answer about this would have an unimaginable impact on our understanding of the modern world.<br />
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The most important part of the introduction is the listing of the fundamental ideas on which the book is based. I will shortly comment them as far as I understand now and given my background knowledge.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">1</span>. Incentives are the cornerstone of modern life. </b><br />
I believe that incentives are the cornerstone of any civilisation from the beginning of time. They do not only belong to the modern life, and they do not only belong to human beings (animals fight for territory and partners). This is a fundamental idea that is also linked to private property and liberty, two concepts much loved by me. I see the link in the fact that free incentives are bound to create a more efficient allocation of resources. Levitt rightly says that understanding these incentives solves any riddle, from violent crime to sports cheating. I totally agree with the concept in the fundamental level, however this is also linked with questions such as how can you discover the real incentives of people as some incentives might be obscured and some are just irrational.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2</span>. The conventional wisdom is often wrong. </b><br />
I have mixed views about this, however in general I tend to agree. I link this second point with the incentives; conventional wisdom is often wrong because it serves to the agenda of specific people. Information is however subject to supply and demand, therefore it is contradicting that the conventional wisdom does not represent the information that serves better to its users. One may argue that the wrong wisdom serves better to its users; information doesn't have to be always right. The conservative view would suggest that the actual conventional wisdom is not perfect, but it is better than what it would have been if it was different and/or true.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">3</span>. Dramatic effects often have distant, even subtle, causes. </b><br />
I agree with the idea of the butterfly effect. It is often said that the best way to solve a problem is to break it down and look at its fundamental causes. When facing social and economic problems, this sounds acceptable, even though much more time consuming and difficult. It is therefore helpful to have big cross-sectional data and resources which may help you to identify causes. Levitt clearly shows this in the book by putting together a wide variety of stories from the past and the present, making connections between seemingly disconnected events and demonstrating an economic explanation behind it.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4</span>.Experts use their informational advantage to serve their own agenda. </b><br />
This point is again covered by the first one, because experts have different incentives from their costumers. The agency theory also covers this point, and the idea of information asymmetry, insider trading, and finally market efficiency are the equivalent in terms of economics. Market efficiency is a million dollar question for economists of all times, therefore the fourth point is inevitable for any economics or freakonomics book.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">5</span>. Knowing what to measure and how to measure it makes a complicated world much less so. </b><br />
The importance of good data can never be stressed too much. I come from a country in which I can barely believe any official statistic. I cannot believe most of the empirical results from any Albanian researcher. I cannot believe any study based on companies financial statements, not only in Albania but in most countries. I have therefore a mixed view on empirical studies; while I tend to believe them more than qualitative studies, I also pay a lot of attention to the methodology, which is the most boring part for the majority of people. Data is so easily manipulated with or without knowledge that for me it is almost impossible to assume they are error-free in a satisfactory level. I therefore prefer primary sources vs secondary in any type of research. While there is a trend that the academic research is not very considered by most policy makers, we shouldn't be very worried if the research results are biased. This is the sad reality of how policies are undertaken these days.<br />
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How will my views change about these five fundamental ideas that the book is based on? The second part of the review will come as soon as I finish the book.<br />
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Sara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051325224160561320.post-61661986327406849802017-11-13T09:22:00.002-08:002021-01-13T08:13:49.336-08:00Opinion Poll #1: A duhet qe taksimi te jete vullnetar? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span face=", "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Capitalist libertarian 🐰- Po, sepse taksimi eshte vjedhje. Cdo transaksion qe nuk perfaqeson vullnetin e lire te paleve, nuk eshte legjitim. Taksimi per kete arsye nuk eshte asnje tjeter pervece vjedhje, sepse po i jep dikujt (shtetit) , dicka, pa deshiren tende. Une besoj se sektori publik ofron sherbime te nje cilesie shume te ulet, prandaj besoj se eshte privatizimi menyra e duhur per ofrimin e sherbimeve, gje e cila do te thote se taksimi eventualisht mund te evitohet. Per me teper, pothuajse te gjithe njerezit e pasur, merren me bamiresi me vullnetin e tyre te plote dhe te lire. Burimet e tyre te dhena vullnetarisht tek organizatat dhe kauzat qe ata duan, mund te perdoren ne nje menyre shume me te mire sesa duke shkuar ne arken e shtetit, dhe sic e dime shume mire, shpesh ne xhepat e politikaneve. </span><div>
<span face=", "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span face=", "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Liberal 😺 - Jo nuk besoj se taksimi duhet te jete vullnetar. Si specie ne jemi vazhdimisht ne konkurrence me njeri tjetrin per resurse, per partner, per t'i dhene femijeve tone nje te ardhme me te mire. Shpesh kjo ndodh duke i 'hyre ne hak' njerezve te tjere. Njerezit jane shume egoiste dhe gjithmone do t'i vendosin interesat personale mbi ato te te tjereve. Akoma jemi shume larg nje shoqerie altruiste. Taksimi eshte nje pjese themelore e funksionimit te cdo shteti. Gjithashtu doja te shtoja se nuk besoj se kemi kapacitetin per te kuptuar impaktin e plote qe mund te kete zhdukja e sistemit te taksimit. </span><br />
<span face=", "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span face=", "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Me cilin mendim jeni me dakord ju?</span></div><div><span face=", "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>Sara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051325224160561320.post-26186526846217848722017-10-31T11:36:00.002-07:002021-01-13T02:45:08.274-08:00Projekti 'Dora e Padukshme?'A keni menduar ndonjehere a dini mjaftueshem rreth bindjeve tuaja politike? Ndoshta dhe ju, ashtu si dhe ne, jeni ende duke zbuluar ku qendroni me pikepamjen tuaj politike, nderkohe qe mesoni me shume rreth pozicioneve te ndryshme politike dhe filozofite e tyre perkatese. <div><br /></div><div>Cilat jane ndryshimet mes filozofise laburiste dhe asaj libertariane, ose mes filozofise konservatore dhe asaj liberale? Projekti 'Dora e Padukshme?' ka si qellim t'ju ndihmoje ju te gjeni pergjigjet e ketyre pyetjeve, ne menyre qe ju te jeni te afte te percaktoni bindjet tuaja politike duke qene me te mireinformuar.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>
Si fillim, une dhe dy bashkepunues te tjere do te prezantojme pikepamjen tone rreth temave te ndryshme ne lidhje me lirite ekonomike dhe sociale. Duke qene se pikepamjet tona jane te ndryshme, ju do te mundeni te dalloni pozicionin i cili eshte me i ngjashem me besimin tuaj, dhe rrjedhimisht te jeni ne gjendje te percaktoni dhe qendrimin tuaj politik. Kjo nuk eshte vetem per qellimin e zgjedhjes se nje force politike per te mbeshtetur apo votuar, por me teper eshte qe ju si individe te njiheni me bindjet tuaja ne nje menyre me te strukturuar, psh, a jeni me teper per liri apo per kontroll te lirise? Nje mjet shume i mire per te nisur kete rrugetim eshte dhe <a href="https://shikushikus.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/cfare-eshte-kompasi-politik-dhe-ku.html">kompasi politik</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Argumentat do te mundeni t'i lexoni <a href="https://shikushikus.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/arguments?max-results=6">ketu</a>. <br />
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P.S: 'Dora e Padukshme' eshte nje term i krijuar nga Adam Smith, i cili e perdori per te treguar se si tregjet e lira kane mekanizma vete-rregullimi te cilat krijojne benefite me te shumta sesa tregjet e kontrolluara. A besoni dhe ju tek 'Dora e Padukshme'?</div></div>Sara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051325224160561320.post-15515642414820069172017-10-25T14:09:00.001-07:002017-10-25T14:42:50.080-07:00Cfare eshte kompasi politik dhe ku qendroni ju?Kompasi politik eshte nje model i cili perdoret per te etiketuar dhe organizuar pikepamjet politike ne dy dimenisone.<br />
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Aksi horizonatal ekonomik (i majte-i djathte) ka te beje me opinionet se si ekonomia e nje vendi duhet te funksionoje. E majta lidhet me nje ekonomi kooperativiste e cila dekurajon konkurencen, ndersa e djathta nenkupton nje ekonomi te lire dhe konkurenciale. Stalini, Mao Ce Dun dhe lider te tjere komuniste jane shembuj te politikave ekonomike te ekstremit te majte, ndersa socialistet si Ghandi jane perseri ne nje pozicion te majte, por jo aq ekstrem. Nga ana tjeter, Margaret Thatcher eshte nje shembull i politikave ekonomike te djathta, nderkohe Pinochet eshte nje shembull i politikave ekonomike ekstremisht te djathta.<br />
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Aksi vertikal (Autokratik-Liberalist) ka te beje me dimensionin social dhe mat opinionet ne lidhje me lirite individuale. Pikepamja liberaliste mbron idene qe lirite personale te njeriut duhet te maksimizohen, ndersa pikepamja autokratike nenkupton qe lirite dhe te drejtat e njerezve duhet te kontrollohen dhe te kufizohen nga nje autoritet i caktuar. Pushtetet diktatoriale dhe monarkite absolute jane shembuj te nje regjimi autokratik totalitar.<br />
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Shpesh here pikepamjet e majta lidhen automatikisht me ato autokratike. Kjo nuk eshte gjithmone e vertete; Ghandi i cili eshte i majte dhe perfaqeson socialistet dhe komunistet, beson tek lirite individuale te njeriut, ndaj ai cilesohet si nje liberal i majte. Ky i fundit dallon nga Stalini, Mao Ce Dun dhe diktatore te tjere komuniste, te cilet jane te majte autokratike. Nga ana tjeter gjenden grupime te cilat besojne tek kolektivizmi vullnetar; te tilla grupime anarkiste ka pasur ne Spanje gjate luftes civile.<br />
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Nga ana e djathte ka shembuj te ngjashem. Pinochet sugjeronte deri ne shfarosjen e njerezve per hir te tregut te lire, ky i fundit cilesohet si nje i djathte ekstrem autokratik. Nga ana tjeter filozofia naziste dhe fashiste jane autokratike pergjithesisht qendrore. Liberalistet e djathte si Friedman mbrojne tregjet e lira dhe jane kunder nderhyrjes se shtetit ne ekonomi. Shume ekonimiste jane te djathte liberaliste, sepse ekonomiksi ne thelb sugjeron se tregjet e lira kane mekanizma veterregulluese dhe nderhyrja e shtetit ne ekonomi ka pasoja negative.<br />
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Grafiku ben te qarte disa perceptime zakonisht te gabuara; fashizmi nuk eshte e kunderta e komunizmit, por e kunderta e anarkise, dhe e kunderta e komunizmit eshte neo-liberalizmi (tregjet e lira).<br />
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Ne menyre qe te zbuloni me shume rreth pikepamjeve tuaja ekonomike dhe sociale lirive, mund te beni testin ne faqen <a href="https://www.politicalcompass.org/test/">Political Compass</a>.<br />
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Me poshte gjendet rezultati i Invisible Hand?:<br />
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Po ju cfare rezultati keni? Jeni i majte apo i djathte? Liberalist apo autokratik?Sara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051325224160561320.post-52533682709811585842015-03-20T08:27:00.002-07:002021-01-14T05:47:32.056-08:00Solar Eclipse 2015Today I have witnessed a 90% solar eclipse in Cardiff. I believe it's cool enough to be ranked among the amazing things I have done?<div><br />
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My friend, Amra, even went to hear an open lecture about the eclipse at the museum last night. So she gave me the best information about the exact time and visibility. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuz-RX3erLEwuhIzJIsvwvR9qhlwOsvWZWcweW1QQnfhQRHE-4qLppFVau7fr2H8LaK-WAktG34M1ptCaJNU2fdTZkqp6cKQkOd0VpJg-VROB46z_1cPXOeBrzehkLNQPaC2T3dlzApY/s1600/DSC_31595.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuz-RX3erLEwuhIzJIsvwvR9qhlwOsvWZWcweW1QQnfhQRHE-4qLppFVau7fr2H8LaK-WAktG34M1ptCaJNU2fdTZkqp6cKQkOd0VpJg-VROB46z_1cPXOeBrzehkLNQPaC2T3dlzApY/s1600/DSC_31595.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Eclipse 2015 Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom<br />
The picture above is during the end of the eclipse cycle, as I was too busy staring at it and not taking pictures when sun was 90% covered<br /><br /></td></tr>
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We decided to go in front of the Cardiff museum at 9:30 am when the peak was supposed to be, but I was late and when I left my home I could feel the weird darkness falling over the city. I grabbed my high UV protection glasses and while walking towards the museum I stared at the sun for three minutes without worrying a single bit about the several warnings of not staring without special glasses... It was almost hypnotizing. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I arrived in front of the museum, I saw loads of Cardiff University students and media. Amra and I managed to find high protection eclipse-staring glasses and we even created our pin hole projector. Some guys offered us binocular projection, and we even used the dark box I was carrying as a projector.</div>
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I have always loved physics, and while I was staring at the eclipse, I felt once again amazed by physics and its fundamental laws. I also recalled this drawing I have painted done when I was only six:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instead of the smiley sun, there is a creepy eclipse going on. <br /><br /></td></tr>
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It is unbelievable how our sun is four hundred times bigger than our moon and the moon at this particular time is four hundred time closer to us than to the sun so they appear the same size. There is no other planet in our solar system that experiences an eclipse like this one!</div>
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Afterwards Amra and I headed to the Natural Museum and we saw the dinosaurs and fossils, stuffed animals, stunning gem stones and minerals, just to remind ourselves how rich and wonderful our world is, and how much we don't know. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystals at Cardiff Natural Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystals at Cardiff Natural Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystals at Cardiff Natural Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuffed animals at Cardiff Natural Museum- Taxidermy section</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuffed birds at Cardiff Natural Museum - Taxidermy section</td></tr>
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Thank you for reading. </div>
</div>Sara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051325224160561320.post-1839350114964718322014-10-30T15:39:00.002-07:002021-01-14T05:50:10.092-08:00Review: Bath and StonehengeI recently visited Bath and Stonehenge and I would like to share some moments with you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stonehenge</i></span><br />
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The world known Stonehenge is absolutely a must for someone visiting England. This mysterious circle of stones has amused people and historians over the centuries. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_S18Ko31WuLhAYuvfm3vCCarOs62RM2k4XGk94Y-U7MfQ3pDqYil9ztQ7JZtxfQYdR7gc00cadtOaEPuklKTyyvaOfcyFE8BL7NTpsfOVkrgUFwTGJX8hOI4pdRoFYab1mUO7ZHVXiag/s1600/DSC_2642.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_S18Ko31WuLhAYuvfm3vCCarOs62RM2k4XGk94Y-U7MfQ3pDqYil9ztQ7JZtxfQYdR7gc00cadtOaEPuklKTyyvaOfcyFE8BL7NTpsfOVkrgUFwTGJX8hOI4pdRoFYab1mUO7ZHVXiag/s1600/DSC_2642.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I wonder if it really has to do with the sun, as the sun is not visible in England most of the time. </span></span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><div> The audio guide had some interesting information. Recently it is thought that Stonehenge was a cemetery for the ancient elite. I also learned that the stones were believed to have healing effects and people used to steal them when the area was not protected yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mtyqki9eVD4I3ll2qo1YMTihBfePo5VYb2qUPRDVwvJYU1Lx35zkMMv-RkCwfe4lJV94Hxir_oouO2cGluDpkiOsDe2LcK3OcwchyphenhyphentXV1GL7WCK291E0T1yTrKASPBpImeDPdb9mb30/s1600/DSC_2677.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mtyqki9eVD4I3ll2qo1YMTihBfePo5VYb2qUPRDVwvJYU1Lx35zkMMv-RkCwfe4lJV94Hxir_oouO2cGluDpkiOsDe2LcK3OcwchyphenhyphentXV1GL7WCK291E0T1yTrKASPBpImeDPdb9mb30/s1600/DSC_2677.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Is it a temple to worship the sun? A hug calendar? A healing place?</span></td></tr>
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Stonehenge site is not only a bunch of stones in the middle of the field. Very nice facilities are build near it, with souvenirs, exhibitions and bar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISDjHvfKH434QudZLzAMQg_ibGu7CaFAbm2uGeW26N9wEP0b1uAHxTFLpMsmx2HbsK1qomaSjj40k0BbdX798zSqEZv5oh11-XE37jCZ0HofoI9b78zl_nyYYWRoaxUvRWl_8Z_7DvG4/s1600/DSC_2686.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISDjHvfKH434QudZLzAMQg_ibGu7CaFAbm2uGeW26N9wEP0b1uAHxTFLpMsmx2HbsK1qomaSjj40k0BbdX798zSqEZv5oh11-XE37jCZ0HofoI9b78zl_nyYYWRoaxUvRWl_8Z_7DvG4/s1600/DSC_2686.jpg" width="582" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bath</i></span><br />
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Quite near to Stonehenge, the creepiest cities I have ever seen. When I first saw it from the hill I was so impressed that I didn't even take any photo.<br />
<br />Bath is known for its architecture and is part of World Heritage Site since 1987. The name "Bath" is linked to the presence of thermal baths in the city centre, build by the Romans.</div><div><br />Lets get back to architecture. People in Bath say that the main designer, John Wood the Elder, and later his Son, were part of free masons, and the whole city is built on hidden symbols. First of all, the main streets of the city form the shape of a key.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvzr7HFxbDupVHy6ZzwFVg_LTmg3JXxl09LM9JlpYvhLeMyl1q-daXs3WbY3cvcozf-1RQB3fuEIvHwP7iqslQMhn2hlWWuQalexVokuJSYxkmmFSlZrhz7IMWvw_KZZ_ALoWU7n0n5I/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvzr7HFxbDupVHy6ZzwFVg_LTmg3JXxl09LM9JlpYvhLeMyl1q-daXs3WbY3cvcozf-1RQB3fuEIvHwP7iqslQMhn2hlWWuQalexVokuJSYxkmmFSlZrhz7IMWvw_KZZ_ALoWU7n0n5I/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Circus is one of the main attractions, Its is the circle shape object shown in the first photo.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<i>Interesting fact</i>: The circus is said to have been inspired by Stonehenge. Their diameters are the same.<br />
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Finally, the greatest building is The Royal Crescent, again in Georgian style.<br />
<br /><i>Interesting fact</i>: While The Circus is said to represent the sun, judged by the round shape and the link to Stonehenge, the Royal Crescent looks to represent the moon. </div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZgip5h46m-UeNVAE6OkPOBPz1ON1aSYwKSLfq1SPr7raEZ4hBCXS2SW3Kbx0BDs2q05yUnaYjbVLOnumEYmboNjGunoWf156XijbSuq5azO3RNLZSxxa45NYnRPczTc7NOrr-2OpLSU/s1600/DSC_2716.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZgip5h46m-UeNVAE6OkPOBPz1ON1aSYwKSLfq1SPr7raEZ4hBCXS2SW3Kbx0BDs2q05yUnaYjbVLOnumEYmboNjGunoWf156XijbSuq5azO3RNLZSxxa45NYnRPczTc7NOrr-2OpLSU/s1600/DSC_2716.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Crescent is build 230 years ago.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Well, I am not a fan of the conspiracy things, but the city had a strange, but yet cozy atmosphere, or maybe this was just the way how I felt about it...<br />
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<br />Before leaving, we had a cup of tea in a very cosy bar that I loved. I definitively loved Bath and its fantasy architecture.<br />
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Thank you for reading.<br />
<br /></div>Sara http://www.blogger.com/profile/02851065830011691086noreply@blogger.com0