Colosseum - Rome

Colosseum – Rome

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Hi Folks,

This is Colosseum, or more formally the Flavian Amphitheatre. I didn’t know men could build such things. After it was completed in 80 AD, it was included in different versions of the list of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  The poet Martial (40-102 AD) went even a little bit further. He instructed to lose the whole list of Seven Wonders as, “Rome’s Colosseum is the world’s one and only truly amazing building”.

Some blood has bled on the arena’s dirt, and Maximus, the gladiator best known to the modern world, totally nailed it: “What we do in life echoes in eternity”. The amphitheater served as a venue for gladiator fights, animal hunts, executions and re-enactments of famous battles for nearly 5 centuries. The events were enormous: In 107 contests involved 11,000 animals and 10,000 gladiators during the 123 days. At least 50,000 spectators could fit into the arena to chant Life! in support to their favorite gladiators. And sometimes the crowd convinced the emperor to save their favorite’s life.

Regardless of earthquakes, stone-robbers, tourists and the amount of water flown under the bridge, the Colosseum still stands. And that is good news to all of us. Namely, already the ancient Romans knew the following:

          “As long as the Colosseum stands, so shall Rome; when the Colosseum falls, Rome shall fall; when Rome falls, so falls the world.”

-Gart

 

Colosseum from inside - Rome

LEGO Modulex M20 Gart the Gnome

Lego Modulex M20 – Gart

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Hi Folks!

There’s this Magnus G. from Denmark who keeps sending me photos of awesome Lego creations he’s made. The bricks used for this piece are Lego-collectors wet dream, at least according to Magnus. Let me brake this for you… The bricks are from Lego Modulex M20 series (I have no idea what it means). But the thing is that Lego Modulex M20 -bricks were manufactured only in 1963-1965 and they were intended for architects. Ok, so the bricks are rare, I get that. But what I do not get is that you can learn more about Lego Modulex M20 and other Lego bricks on this webpage: www.brickfetish.com. I guess, there is a nerd of every kind in the Interweb! But do not get me wrong, I admire the Lego-enthusiast. After all, I was a certified Lego engineer in the 1950’s, only a few years after Lego was invented. For showing respect to Magnus and his odd hobby, I will set as my goal to visit Legoland.

Thank you Magnus!

-Gart

LEGO Modulex M20

Work in progress. Size is 56 * 38 = 2128 studs.

Bonifacio - Corsica, France

Bonifacio – Corsica, France

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Hi Folks!

France is the most visited country in the world ranked by the number of international tourist arrivals. That’s an impressive achievement considering that the Corsican nationalist movement has campaigned for the limiting of tourist infrastructure since the 1960’s. And by campaigning I mean harsh measures: bombings, assaults and robberies. Luckily Corsica is only one of the 27 régions of France, so there are plenty of opportunities even for the most sensitive tourist to enjoy the well distinguished French hospitality. I guess there is only one thing that the Corsican’s hate more than tourists and that is the French. Confusing enough, huh? I will try not to get into politics too much, but there’s one thing that should be mentioned: Corsica is the gem of the Mediterranean Sea and Corsicans would be nuts if they were not a little bit protective of it.

In addition to National Liberation Front of Corsica, Corsica Libera and other militant and/or peaceful groups that advocate the independence and isolation of Corsica, the costal line of the island for its part ensures that intruders will have difficulties to sneak in. Bonifacio, on the south coast of Corsica, is protected by 70 meters tall limestone cliffs that rise directly from the sea. The limestone has been undercut by the rough waters below so that the buildings are literally overhanging the cliffs. The restaurants in Bonifacio serve French cuisine to die for and that may also be the result if you book a table with a view.

-Gart