TRIVIA 13

Stalin built the Moscow subway system in 1932-35. They were to be the best and most beautiful in the world----to outshine capitalism. Each station is a museum in itself and each is different. The first station we entered was lined with larger than life bronze statues of fighting men, the protectors. Another station had beautiful crystal chandeliers and another was literally an art gallery.

Our guide said, “The subway system is closed only four hours a day for cleaning. These wheat design bronze vents change the air in the system three tines a day. Some of the system is 350-feet below ground level. In fact Stalin had an underground command post within the metro system.”

The stations were spotless and there was no graffiti anywhere. They were really beautiful,and like all subways one must act quickly to get on and off the train. The trains run often, are reasonable and the system is easy to follow and a good way to get around the huge city.

A poffertje is the Dutch equivalent of fried bread. Many countries have a similar thing under a different name. Poffertjes are about half again bigger than a doughnut hole and flatter. Dusted with sugar they are eaten warm and are yummy. It was a great treat, especially on a dull cool day!

Leads and polymyas are biologically active zones of the frozen Arctic. A polymya is an area that remains ice-free all winter. A lead is a long crack broken in the sea ice by either tidal currents or wind and may remain open for minutes to several days.

In Sydney QVC is a Romanesque Revival style area that is now a shopping center. It was used for other things until its restoration in 1984-86. The Royal Clock activates on the hour displaying six scenes of English royalty accompanied by music. The money from the wishing well near the statue of Queen Victoria benefits blind and deaf children.

In the days of English witch hunts the thumbs of a supposed witch would be tied to her toes before being thrown into the water. If she floated she was quilty and if she sank she was innocent, but either way she was dead!

In France it seems everyone owns a dog, often a small one. The dogs go everywhere! It is strange for an American to see a dog in a store, market or restaurant. I was amazed how well behaved the dogs were, even when not on a leash. Barking was noticeably absent and I began to wonder if their voice boxes had been fixed. However, one should be aware of of where one steps as the French would never think of carrying a plastic bag, never mind a super duper pooper scooper!

In Germany I marvelled at how clean the cities were, how nearly all parking was underground and how almost no utility lines or billboards marred the lovely scenery.

FYI—good to know: The Canadian one-dollar coin is called a loony because a loon is on the back of the coin. The two-dollar coin is called a toony. The smallest paper money is a five dollar bill.

When traveling one frequently has to pay to take pictures, especially in museums in the third world.

In Melbourne Fitzroy Gardens/Park occupy 65-acres. Capt Cook's cottage was dissembled in England and shipped to Australia where it was reassembled in the park in 1934. The cottage is small and stands behind Cook's statue. The park has a restaurant and a large arboretum filled with gorgeous flowers many of which were foreign to me.

SOME STRANGE TRADITIONS--OR NOT

                         Mostly Down Under  Traditions  

  Parts of Europe do some strange trimming to their linden trees. I’ve seen this several places and am always in awe, but it was most prominent in Belgium. Maybe it was just the right time of the year. The Linden tree is   deciduous so the trimming seemed severe and was most obvious. The linden tree is a decorative fragrant tree that can be long lived and grow big. It appears that the severely trimmed trees are meant to be kept medium height so they can be trimmed each year. The best answer I could ever get anywhere was, “It’s a European thing.”

  In the days of the English witch hunts the thumbs of a supposed witch was tied to her big toes before being thrown into the water, river or whatever. If she floated she was guilty and if she sank she was innocent—either way she was dead.

         

  Pierre Cardin described The Queen Victoria Building (QVC) as the most beautiful shopping centre in the world. Built in 1898 and occupying an entire city block the building is an outstanding example of Byzantine architecture. It was built to replace the original Sydney Markets. Remodeled in the 1930s it has housed a concert hall, City Library, and municipal offices. Refurbished in 1984 it now accommodates more than 200 shops. With a series of domes and domelets and exquisite stained glass windows along with extensive wood paneling the building has retained the turn-of-the-century charm. When in Sydney, Australia the QVC should be on your to see list.

            

    If you’ve been where sugar grows you may know that sugarcane is cut once a year and then regrows. After the third cutting the fields are burned and the remains plowed under.  Beans are then planted to replace the nitrogen to the soil, and then the next year sugarcane is planted to start the cycle over again.

            Australia’s Vegemite is made at the very end of the sugar process.

           

 The story was framed in our Sydney, Australia hotel room. The second part of the building was built of sandstone with Georgian flattened brick arches over the windows. Built as six terrace houses, it was known as Scarlett’s Cottages. Scarlett was a well-known lady of the night who lived and died in the area.

            Scarlett was Eric’s one true love, but although in a moment of thoughtlessness she declared her love for him, she did not mean it. However, Eric died before learning of Scarlett’s lie. It is well known that to this day Eric wanders the halls and rooms of the cottages searching and calling for Scarlett, who had met an untimely and tragic death. On occasion Eric has appeared in front of unknowing hotel staff members, questioning them of Scarlett’s whereabouts.

   We were staying in a haunted hotel! However, none of us ran into Eric’s ghost during our stay.

A really clean modern restroom:

 Our van driver detoured into Ashburton to show us an ultra modern restroom. The clean public unisex toilets were all push button. A button was pushed to close the door. Another button was pushed to dispense the TP. The toilet flushed only when the sensor activated soap and faucet were in use! Another button opened the door.

  A sign warns that at 9 minutes you will be given a warning and at 10 minutes the door will automatically open--- best that you be finished with your business! Really a very neat system. We again saw the same system at Queenstown, New Zealand Botanical Gardens.