Archive for November 23rd, 2009

Algiers - a Wonderous Mix

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Algiers is located on series of terraces that clamber up the hillsides from the sea, towered over by the ramparts of the medieval Casbah, the Old City. Full of flowers, beautiful villas and luxuriously green gardens, the geography of this Mediterranean city is best understood as a huge triangle.

The seaside European quarter is its wide base, which narrows as it ascends the close winding lanes to the Moorish quarter, eventually coming to a point at the city’s old fortress high above.

Island of the Gull.
The first settlers on the coast of Algiers, aside from the native Berber tribes, arrived around 400 BCE. These were Carthaginian merchants in search of a convenient harbour in the western Mediterranean. During the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage, this settlement, known as Ikosim (”Island of the Gulls”) fell to the Roman Empire.

The most significant moment in the city’s history came with the conquest of the Late Roman Numidian Kingdom by the Muslim Arabs around 700 CE. The official founding of the city did not take place until 935 CE, when the Berber tribes (by then converted to Islam) named their harbour Al-Jazir (”White Island”). The city extended no further than what is today the Old City of Algiers, the Casbah.

A bastion for pirates.

After the Moors were driven out of Spain in the fifteenth century, Algiers was the launching point for numerous military expeditions to the Iberian Peninsula, but the Moors were never able to regain control of Spain. In fact, the Catholic Spaniards conquered Algiers instead, taking control of the city in 1509. The city suffered under Christian oppression for ten years before Ottoman Khaireddin Barbarossa recaptured Algiers in 1519 in a daring naval assault. The city and country would henceforth be part of the Ottoman Empire.

In the following years, Khaireddin Barbarossa built Algiers into one of the most powerful bastions on the Mediterranean. Up until his death 1546, he used it as the base for countless raids along the Mediterranean coast, besieging Spanish as well as Moorish cities, and bringing all of Algeria under his control. In Europe, the name Algiers became synonymous with a pirate’s den. In France, however, this was not the case. The French had long been in league with Khaireddin.

From allies to conquerors.

Although European nations tried again and again to recapture the city, all attempts failed miserably. Then, in the 19th century, the French gave it another try. Their conquest of Algeria began with the landing in 1830 at Sidi Fredj near Algiers. The final subjugation tool over fifty years.

After Algiers became a French colony in 1882, a huge influx of French companies and workers arrived and the city grew exponentially. The European residential areas built at that time still shape the cityscape of contemporary Algiers particularly at the base of the “triangle” along the 2-km-long boulevard along the harbour.

In the Casbah. The interplay between Berber pride, Ottoman organization and French sophistication lends Algiers a special charm. Visitors climbing from the French-influenced harbour district up to the Old City of the Casbah experience the city’s different cultures as well as its history.

Built around 1500 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the Casbah is the old citadel of the Ottoman governors of Algiers. The higher one climbs, the more narrow and twisting the lanes become. The houses are crammed so close together that they nearly touch, and balconies are connected to one another above street level. Several important mosques are located in the midst of this confusion, including the Grand Mosque, the New Mosque and the Ketchaoua Mosque. All are renowned for their antiquity and architectural diversity.

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Are your childrens bunk beds safe from accidents?

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Many families contemplate utilising bunk beds for their children to alleviate a deficiency of room or due to the demands of the child. The one up one down technique of bunk bed although somewhat an thrilling venture for small children could be very hazardous; an average 85% of bed accidents are caused from metal bunk beds. There are lots of hazards parents need to be aware of when purchasing a children’s bunk bed.

Even though a tumble single-handedly may well seriously hurt a kid, objects around the bunk bed may well cause a further hazard. Objects such as blind cords are extremely dangerous; they could simply become tied around a child’s head and many fatalaties have happened because of the kid’s robe cord wrapping around the neck during the fall. Such cases are very rare however they do raise the question of how secure our children are in metal bunk beds. However, bunk beds are an excellent approach of construing a certain accountability on your child and as stated previously they are a fantastic space saving tool, so they mustn’t be dismissed completely.

Metal bunk beds are safer now more than ever. Enhanced equipment, better build, and improved design have all contributed towards a much less dangerous bunk bed than more than a decade ago. Most bed bunk accidents are a result of horseplay, in fact, the majority of accidents are from teenagers jumping around on the beds, in particular college dorm lofts and metal bunk beds. As long as secure behaviour are carried out, your kid should be alright. Educate them to never jump on the top bunk and how to use the ladder correctly.

Unraveling the miracle of Bee Pollen

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

There is much discuss regarding the immense benefits of Bee Pollen. Many nutritionist think about it to be as shut to perfect a meal as any other. With every known mineral accounted for together with vitamins, amino acids and trace minerals,bee pollen is extremely nutritious. Bee pollen is additionally considered to be a 1st-rate source of anti-oxidants.

Buy Bee Pollen in the daily diet of folks, they will not have to fret regarding not meeting their daily dietary needs.

Bee Pollen has been used for many use. Records of its use has been found in the Bible, Torah , Koran and many different Egyptian and Chinese records. Even the Yank president, Ronald Reagan is an affirmed believer in its positive virtues.

And many people swear to the healing bee pollen health. They claim that it will provide you increased energy, boost your body’s immune responses by increasing your red and white blood cells, increase longevity by repairing damaged cells, and help to cure all kinds of diseases with its engineered in antibacterial qualities.

Yet another attributed advantage is its ability to assist digestion and the final health of the intestines by controlling organisms contained therein and aiding within the absorption of nutrients.

However a merger of caution and prudence entails a skeptical tackle some of these claims. There is at yet, currently no proven scientific result that supports the majority of those claims.

So what exactly is bee pollen?

Pollen is formed by the male part of the flowering plant. This pollen is then carried by bees from flower to flower in the method of cross pollination. However, not each pollen is successfully dropped off by bees and the residual ones that are carried to the bee hive are collected and then saved by bee keepers.

Off even greater significance is the undeniable fact that pollen-bee or otherwise-is responsible for many cases of allergies. In fact, there are documented reports of bee pollen and royal jelly triggering asthma, hives, sore throats, facial itches and even anaphylactic shock in individuals with allergies to specific pollens. Allergy reactions will be triggered by even the tiniest amounts of pollen.

This is unsafe because many folks believe the elixir qualities of bee pollen to be true, even when their body informs them otherwise. Instead of depending on nutritional supplements for the health and well being of your body, visit competent doctors and nutritionist who have proven expertise and information during this area.

Choosing the Best Bike for You

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

When selecting your next (or first) bicycle, it’s important to understand the different bike types. By following these tips you’ll get a better understanding of the different categories..

Road bikes, also known as touring or racing bikes, are generally built for speed and riding on smooth surfaces like asphalt. Because of this they are equipped with very narrow tires, drop handlebars (to put the rider in the most aerodynamic position), and multiple speeds (12-24 gear positions is common). Racing bikes follow the same basic layout, but with a very lightweight frame. Although road bikes and racers can be used for commuting, most riders opt for comfort rather than speed.

Mountain bikes are built less for speed and more for durability and control. These bikes have much larger tires, raised handlebars that put the rider in a more upright position, and are generally (but not always) heavier. Since mountain bikes are intended to be used on trails and steep inclines, the gear ratios are generally lower than that of road bikes. Some mountain bikes have up to 36 gears, advanced suspension systems to handle bumpy and rough trails, and it is now common to find disc brakes on one or both wheels. These bikes are generally acceptable for commuting, especially if any of that commute is over bumpy or gravel or dirt roads.

Hybrid bikes make an attempt to combine the best of road and mountain bikes, and are intended to handle most commuting situations. These bikes come equipped with narrower tires than mountain bikes, suspension systems for the occasional bumpy road, comfortable seats and handlebars, and often come with pre-fitted fenders and luggage racks for bicycle bags. Many hybrids are geared much like road bikes, while others limit the number of gears to a minimum (5-7 speeds) or have the gears “sealed” in the rear hub (3-5 speeds). Hybrids are usually the best selection for most commuting situations, and are a great selection for casual riders.

Many other specialized types exist, from single speed cruisers to very specialized off-road “rock riders” and BMX racers. However, most cyclists will do okay to start from the list above. Use this guide as a starting point, try out a few models of each type to see what’s best for you, and then start riding. You won’t regret it.