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May 11, 2011 12:56 pm

ITALY – THE LEANING TOWER OF PIZA

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by admin    in Language Learning

Here we were, with all of the other tourists … looking at one of the Seven Wonders of the World Today … The Leaning Tower of Pisa.  It is located in a city called Pisa in northern Italy.  The day was sunny with blue, blue skies overhead.  We came by car ourselves, but big tour buses were parked all over the parking lot.  There were crowds of people everywhere.  It was hard to take any pictures without having people we did not even know in our pictures.  One of the favorite shots seemed to be people positioning themselves with their arm out as if they were holding the Tower up by their arm, thus saving the Tower from falling over.  It did seem to lean a lot to the side.

It really does look like it is going to fall over because it is leaning too much to the side.  Engineers have built stilts or poles to keep it from falling.  The Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa.  It is located right behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa’s Cathedral Square.

The Tower is 186.02 feet high on the high side and 183.27 feet high on the low side.  That creates a significant lean.  It really does lean a lot.  The lean has been caused by unstable ground.  The width of the walls at the base is 13.42 feet and at the top is 8.14 feet.  Its estimated weight is 16,000 tons.  The Tower has 296 steps, but the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north facing staircase making that side 294 steps.  Before restoration work in 1990 and 2001 the tower leaned 5.5 degrees.  But today after the restoration was completed it now leans at 3.99 degrees.  This means that today at the 3.99 degree lean the Tower from a horizontal position leans out 12 feet 10 inches from where it would be if the Tower were perfectly vertical.

There were three steps to the construction of the Tower.  It took 177 years to finish.  The marble campanile began on August 8, 1173 during a prosperous period for the military.  The Tower began to sink as construction progressed to the third floor in 1178.  This was due to unstable subsoil and a flawed design from the beginning construction and so construction was stopped for almost 100 years.  This stoppage was caused by all of the military battles Pisa was involved in with Genoa, Lucca and Florence.  This allowed the subsoil to settle.  The seventh floor was finally completed in 1319.  

There are seven bells in the Tower, one for each note of the musical major scale.  The largest one was installed in 1655.  The bell chamber was finally added in 1372.

To see this wonderful edifice was worth the effort and the trip.  It truly is a Wonder of the World.

Tell us about any Wonders you have seen in this world.

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April 8, 2011 11:06 am

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND – WHAT A PLACE

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by admin    in Language Learning

International flights into Switzerland usually arrive at either Geneva or Zurich airports.  Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland.  It is also a global city, a financial center, and a worldwide center for diplomacy.  As I looked around I could pick out people from Japan, China, India, Italy, France, Germany and many other countries.  Listening to them speak was a real treat … a melody of languages.  Both of these airports are very convenient to traveling to Zermatt, Switzerland, a gateway to the Matterhorn.  But don’t miss taking a little time to visit the azure blue lakes; Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne with their castles.  Then it’s on to the Matterhorn, Switzerland’s most famous mountain of 14,692 feet; the mountain that movies have been made about.  It is located in the Penninie Alps on the border of Switzerland and Italy.  In German “matte” means “meadow” and “horn” means “peak.”   It is the tenth highest peak in Switzerland.
There were seven of us, four adults with three children, in our Honda Odyssey making our way towards the Swiss Alps.  The morning was sunny with a few white billowy cumulus clouds making their way lazily across the wide expanse of blue.  The road was very straight most of the time with a few curves intermingled.  Looking out the window, we saw green fields dotted here and there with acres of yellow flowers that looked like sunflowers.   The beauty took my breath away.  It was so picturesque, just like in the travel magazines I had seen.
Off in the distance, I could see mountains rising up from the green plains we had been traveling through.  At last I could see them … the Swiss Alps.  This was the home of Heidi, my favorite childhood novel.  I can still remember some of her adventures.  Her grandfather lived here and cared for her in these wondrous mountains.  The Heidi book is among the best known works of Swiss literature and well worth reading to your children.
As we drove into Zermatt, a beautiful, little tourist town at the foot of the Alps, we parked our car on the outskirts and walked from there.  No cars or big tour buses allowed in the village.  The train stops here and goes no further. This is one of the great ski and climbing centers in the world.  This deep valley is nestled between two steep, sculptured mountains.  The air is crisp and clean with an Alpine flavor.  Summer flowers drape themselves from each building along the way.  Its cobblestone streets and pathways take you back in time to a simpler way of life.  It is beautiful.  It is exhilarating.  It is special to be here; to see this great mountain and walk the cobblestone streets of Zermatt.
The Matterhorn is truly a magnificent mountain.  A dream comes true, just to be here.

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March 30, 2011 8:43 am

JAPANESE RELIEF EFFORT – FREE LANGUAGE COURSE

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by admin    in Language Learning
Japanese Flag - Free Pimsleur Japanese
 

Japanese Relief - For a limited time, Pimsleur Method will offer free downloads of 8 hours of its Japanese language learning program to support agencies and volunteers helping the millions affected by the devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis in Japan.

By providing these Japanese language learning programs, Pimsleur Method hopes to ease relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the crisis by giving aid workers an easy way to begin communicating in Japanese. This is especially critical in more remote areas where English is not widely spoken.

Read more about the Free Japanese download….

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March 23, 2011 1:26 pm

TRAVELING TO CHINA

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by admin    in Language Learning

I was waiting at gate C 5 to board my flight.  It was supposed to leave in 10 minutes.  The announcement blared loudly over the airports’ PA system, “Flight 4659 will be delayed and will not be boarding for 30 minutes.  We are sorry for the inconvenience.”   I had a connecting flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong.  What if I missed it, I thought.  What will I do?

In 30 minutes another announcement and another delay, this one said we would have another hour delay before boarding.  Frustration started to set in.  By the time I boarded and got on my way, I knew I would miss my connecting flight.  We found out that are delay was caused by Air force I,  It was landing at the San Francisco Airport and so they closed it down to all incoming flights.  That was so exciting.  Oh the joys of International travel. 

I was on my way to Guangzhou, China via Hong Kong to look for new items for our business to sell.  I was to meet a business associate in Hong Kong who would take me to our hotel that night or should I say in the middle of the night.  We were to meet with a couple businesses the next morning and then catch a train on to Guangzhou.

When I finally got to Hong Kong, it was about 2 a.m. and my business associate was nowhere to be seen.  I did not have a phone number to call him or an address of where to find him.  All I could do is stand around and hope he came.  I waited for over an hour before he showed up.  Imagine being in a foreign country in the middle of the night not knowing anyone, where to go, or what to do.  Not the best scenario, I would say.

I am glad to say all worked out.  We did meet up, make it to our hotel, our meetings, and caught our train.  Canton Fair here we come!  Guangzhou used to be called Canton due to the Europeanized names being used by the English Colonies but has since been changed back to its Chinese name.

My trip was successful despite my frustrations with the airline.  I saw some great places, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Yiwu and Shanghai.  It is unbelievable the capabilities that the Chinese have in manufacturing goods.  The industry of the Chinese people is amazing.

Have any of you had frustrations or stories of interest with your International travel?  We would love to hear about them.

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March 14, 2011 12:49 pm

I LOVE CHINA TOWN

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by admin    in Language Learning

Have you ever been to Polish Town, Czech Town or Korean Village? 

Sounds strange, doesn’t it.  So why are there so many China Towns around the world?  How about a nice Danish Roll, a French pastry or some Baklava? 

Speaking of Baklava, I can almost taste the thin layers of phyllo dough, with chopped nuts in between those paper thin layers, with a little honey added.  I love Middle Eastern pastries and the Balkan cuisine.  Let’s have some Chocolate Bavarian from the Normandie Café, one of my favorite French pastry shops.   Is it any wonder my weight keeps going up?  If I add “rich buttery flaky dough that Chania Townturns pastries into a sinful delight,” my Danish for breakfast doesn’t help my weight a bit.

Sauerkraut, Danish meatballs, pizza, Thai noodles, Kung Pao chicken, sesame oil chicken wings, stir-fry, bok choy, Moo Goo Gai Pan to name a few more favorite foods that keep me thinking about food.    

Don’t’ you just love to eat?  When I go out for the evening or even for lunch, I seem to choose German, Italian, Chinese, French, Thai, Indian/Hindi, or a Japanese restaurant.  We have any and all kinds to choose from.  We can pick different countries, different foods and all within a few miles from where we live.  I don’t have to go far to feel like I am in a different country clear across the world.

Every restaurant has something special about it.  Different restaurants have interwoven within their walls different foods, colors, languages, customs and some great people. 

Developing their recipes has taken eons of time.  We now experience the best a country had to offer in taste and drink.  It is like having our very own “Sunday Dinner” with them.  They offer us the best they have. 

I have wandered through China Townes across the world from San Francisco to New York and from Singapore to Yokohama.  What an experience: the sites, the smells, the people, the food.   As we walk down a narrow street together in Shanghai we look through the window and start salivating as we see some of the best food we have ever laid our eyes on.  Look at those bright greens, heaps of snow white sticky rice, bowls of steaming soup and those pieces of chicken and beef, browned to perfection.  I can’t   contain myself.  How about you?  Of course we go in … are we stupid?

We would do the same thing, if it had been a Polish Town, Czech Town or a Korean Village.  It is just that most of the time it is a China Town, Italian Village or a Thai restaurants.  Each culture has its culinary delights; we just need to find them.  So let’s just keep looking.   

Lunch time … see you later!

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March 8, 2011 4:45 pm

ORDER PLEASE

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by admin    in Language Learning

The other day at lunch I ran into a friend at McDonalds’s.  As we were waiting in the order line, he said, “I feel like you need to know Spanish just to make an order.”  As I looked at the pretty girl at the cash register she looked like she could be Mexican.  As we got closer, she sounded just like the two of us and I could detect no accent.  She sounded like a plain, old Utahan.    Her English was perfect … according to anyone from Utah.

As I have reflected on the statement of my friend, I realize that I have frequented many fast food businesses that hire a lot of Spanish people, some with heavy Spanish accents.  This also includes hotel, resorts, restaurants and many other service related businesses.  Years ago I read an article about a person who hired a lot of people and he commented that he found his best employees were immigrants.  He said they worked much harder and were more loyal than the people born in the United States.  So when he was looking to hire, his preference was to find someone wanting to work that came from another country.

A few years ago, a man from Mexico worked for me.  He was well educated, loyal, honest, resourceful and a very hard worker.  Whenever I gave him a job he did it fast and he did it well.  I just pointed him in the right direction and let him go at it.  He could do construction work; painting, electrical and you name it.  He could do it all.  As we worked together I found he could even repair my automobile whenever I had a problem.  I found he could do anything and everything I needed done. 

One day I asked him how he had learned to do so many things.  He told me his father owned an auto repair business and he had learned to repair engines and do body work as he was growing up.   Then he went to a University in Mexico City and received a Civil Engineering Degree.  I found he could do almost anything I needed done.  He was an invaluable employee.  It took me about a year to find out who he really was.

The one thing I have not told you is that he spoke hardly any English and I spoke hardly any Spanish.  We made a great team.  We resorted to the use of sign language, pointing, drawing and things like that to communicate and sometimes an interpreter.  I found he could read English if I gave him something written down.  He could follow diagrams but he couldn’t speak the language.  The very sad thing is that I paid him a menial wage and no one would pay him anymore because he could not speak English. 

Eventually he went back to Mexico feeling he could make a better living.  What a disservice we, as a country, are doing to these immigrants that come to our country looking for the American Dream.  These bright, motivated, industrious people could be valuable assets to us … if only we would require them to learn English so they could be more functional.  We have wonderful ESL language courses that are easy to us and cover many different languages for people coming here to find their American Dream.

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March 2, 2011 12:11 pm

THE WHY OR WHY NOT … FOREIGN LANGUAGE

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by admin    in Language Learning

What do you think?  Is learning a foreign language an important area of study for you?  Why or why not?  Tell me why you are interested or not interested?  Let’s compare feelings for those for and those against learning a new language.  It could be our own personal survey.  If you know another language what are the benefits you feel you have over those who don’t know one?  Do any of you who don’t know another language feel left out of anything?

A businessman I was talking to yesterday was telling me that when he was younger he joined the U.S. Navy and had traveled to most of the ports in South America during his term of duty.  He started dating a lovely girl from Peru.  She spoke English and the romance carried on until they finally married.  They now have two handsome boys … twins.  He said, “Is it hard for someone my age (42 year) to learn Spanish?”  “We get along fine until my wife’s parents come to visit, they only speak Spanish, and I would really like to be able to talk to them.” 

I know how he feels.  My son married a girl from Chile and her grandmother came to stay with them for quite a while.  She is one of the most kindly, gentle lovely ladies I have ever met.  But she spoke no English.  Our conversations went something like this.  I would call on the phone.  She would answer.  I could hear Spanish coming at me at about 100 mph, understanding nothing.  She would stop.  I would say “chow” and the conversation was over.  Many times I wanted to be able to communicate with her … but I don’t know Spanish well enough.

I talked to a fellow the other day who wanted to know what Russian courses I would recommend for a girl from the Ukraine to learn English.  They were to be married in the next month.  She is coming to the U.S. and wants to be able to talk with him.  I don’t know how they ever got together, he didn’t tell me that, but my thought was that it would be a good idea for him to learn some Russian himself.

An elementary principal I know told me about the Chinese immersion course they have at her school.  I asked, “How do the kids like it?”  She said, “They love Chinese.  You can’t believe how fast they have picked it up.  They spend half of their time learning in English and the other half in Chinese.”  Can you imagine learning and speaking Chinese?  Wow!

The state of Wyoming State Legislature is working on legislation that will mandate two foreign language courses be required and passed for anyone receiving a scholarship to their state colleges and universities.  We all ought to follow this to see what happens.  Apparently there are some of their state government representatives that feel this is very important for their scholarship students.

As our world gets smaller and smaller and we go places faster and faster it would be a good idea for all of us to learn an additional language or two, just so we can find the bathroom, restaurant or get on the bus.

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March 31, 2010 4:18 pm

MADE IN CHINA

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by admin    in Language Learning

             The scooters can cruise at break-neck speed. This matches the fast speed of Taipei’s whirly development.  But why follow them when slowing down reveals China’s richest art and its cultural treasure trove?   Tom Cockrem discovers even more. 

The Chiang Kai-shek is a masterpiece.  Its enormous five arched gateway, crowned with glared blue tiles, would befit an emperor’s palace.  The trapezoidal main structure is similarly clowned.  It recalls-perhaps on purpose – the uncluttered elegance of great monuments from antiquity, like the Mayan Chichen-Itza of Mexico and the Egyptian Pyramids.  There entrance is flanked by two imperiously palatial red colonnaded halls; the National Theatre and the Opera House.  This complex might be modern, but its inspiration is decidedly in the past. 

Taipei is a city of the present.  Its infrastructure tells you that, along with its fashions and its shops.  Not much history ostensibly remains.  We have to suffer pragmatism here-those awful white glazed building tiles that remind you all too often that you may need the comport room.  Taipei’s history defiantly remains, enmeshed as it is with that of mainland China.  It is embodied in the people. Their dress is ultra-chic, as are their technologies; and they ride their motor scooters at modern break-neck speeds.  But that’s where new-age trappings start and end.  The Taiwanese exhibit values that you associate with the exulted ancient East.  High among these are politeness and respect.  The young will stand up for their elders (and me with my cameras in) in trains.  You will never be assailed by crude behavior anywhere or see people cross the street against the lights.  Egalitarianism too seems well entranced.  It poverty exists, even if it has escaped my eye. 

A few years ago, a visitor would have all but despaired at the prospect of covering the highlights of Taipei without access to a car.  Now there’s the MRT-Mass Rapid Transit.  Opened in stages from 1996-and still not totally completed- the underground rail system challenges even its Singapore equivalent unit’s user-friendliness, reliability and speed.  Using this and one or two short taxi hops, the best of the city can be covered in two leisurely days, and don’t forget the guarantee: you simply can’t get lost. The congenital Taipeiorens will see to that.  If all directions somehow fail, you might, as I did, find yourself being personally escorted all the way to your front door.

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March 24, 2010 5:17 pm

EXPLORING INDIA

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by admin    in Language Learning

            Home to approximately more than one billion people, India’s population is one sixth of the world’s overall population.  India is a vast country having a rich cultural heritage and an ancient spiritual framework.  This country is not an easy place to forget for its visitors.  Its diversity ranges from snow capped mountains to beautiful beaches, temples, colorful festivals, lantern-lit villages and a lot more.  For this, India has been considered as multidimensional. 

            Indians from different states use different official languages and some of them are not recognized by the central government.  More than one language is even existent in one state.  Like for example, Bihar which is found in east India and has three official languages Hindi, Urdu and Bengali. These three are all recognized by the central government.  But Sikkim, another place in east India, has four official languages.  And only one out of its four languages is recognized by the central government.  Hindi is recognized worldwide as the official language of India. 

            India also has a rich history.  This explains why there are a number of exquisite palaces, temples and monuments.  Tourists in India see to it that they visit the Golden Triangle, comprised of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.  The people-packed cities of Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) are also must visits for their colorful charm.  For a pilgrimage, the holy city of Varanasi and Tamil Nadu are worthy of visits.  For beach bound travelers, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa and Kerala.  For those in search of natural beauty, there are the mountains and hills of Himalayas. 

            Financially speaking, India is not hard on the budget.  Accommodations are available for all kinds of travelers from simple backpacker lodgings to high-end hotels.  If you are going to cities like Mumbai (Bombay) you need to plan well in advance.  It may be difficult to find accommodations because of the many travelers to the city.  For food and dining, there are a number of eateries offering delicious dishes at all prices.  The country’s public transport network is also traveler friendly.  All costs vary nationwide depending on seasons but be ready to shell-out more in the larger cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.  Also take into consideration visiting the different tourist spots during peak season as prices may be higher during this time.  Foreigners are often charged more than the locals for entrance fees to tourist site and there may also be additional charges for those who want to take still photos or videos. 

            In terms of food, the Indian cuisine is characterized by the use of different spices and herbs and vegetables that are locally grown.  Most Indians are also vegetarians.  But since India is a large country with a big population, its cuisine is also diverse and it varies from region to region.  But what’s really common to this cuisine is the love for spices and a preference for cooking stews.  The specialties of this cuisine are Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Rogan Josh, Malai Kofta, Chole, Palak Paneer, Kaali Daal, Chaat, Naan. 

It would be fun to learn a little Hindi before you go.  It will make your trip more enjoyable.  If you don’t do this, English is widely spoken.

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5:04 pm

EXPLORING THAILAND

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by admin    in Language Learning

            Noted as the land of smiles, Thailand is located in Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma.  Bangkok is its largest city and at the same time it’s the capital city.  It is also the center of the country’s political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities.  This country is popular among tourists around the world because of its diversity.  Its traditions are fascinating and its culture is also distinct.  The country has a number of historical spots such as temples, palaces and museum.  The country boasts a natural beauty, friendly locals, exotic food, relaxing spas, and a lot more. 

            Thailand has its own spoken language.  Thai is used by almost 75 million people.  English is taught as the second language in this country and it is widely spoken by its people.  Like any other languages of the world, Thai is also known to be a complex mixture of several sources.  Some of which were derived from Pali, Sanskrit, Khmer, Malay, English and Chinese. 

            There are a lot of ways to get around the country and it is easy and inexpensive.  The country has also a modern transportation system.  You can either travel by plane, train, bus, elephants, motorbike taxis, water taxis, and tuk-tuks.  Tuk-Tuks are three wheeled, motorized vehicles that are used as a mode for short distance transportation all over the country. 

            Thai food is known all over the world.  Who hasn’t eaten Thai?  In every Thai dish, the guiding principle is always harmony, whether chili-hot or comparatively bland.  Thai cuisine is the combination of centuries-old Eastern and Western influences harmoniously combined into something distinctly Thai. This cuisine is known for a diversity of ingredients used, complex spiciness, intricate flavors and aromas.  Its popular dishes are Gai Pad Met Mamuang (Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts), Por Pia Tord (Fried Spring Roll), Panaeng (Meat in Spicy Coconut Cream), Som Tam (Spicy Papaya Salad), Moo Sa-Te (Grilled Pork Sticks with Turmeric), Tom Yam Gai (Spicy Chicken Soup), Tom Kha Kai (Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup), Kang Keaw Wan Gai (Green Chicken Curry), Pad Thai (Fried Noodle), and Tom Yam Goong. (Spicy Shrimp Soup)     

            The most popular tourist destinations in Thailand are The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Nang Yai (Shadow Puppet Plays), Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Ayutthaya, Jim Thompson’s House, Ecotourism in Umphang, Sukhothai, Ao Phang-Nga National Marine Park, Pattaya, and a lot more.  For shopping destinations, both Bangkok and Chiang Mai have excellent night markets.  The weekend market at Chatuchuk in Bangkok is a haven for shoppers with hundreds of stalls selling items ranging from to genuine antiques, clothes, and pets.

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