A new look for (I wish) a positive change

Hello everyone,
our blog has suffered a positive change so that it can brighten your spirit if you happen to read an entry. I hope you like it!

PS: please, do enter my profile and check the different blogs I follow. They represent the most important interests in my life (apart from my wife, family and friends, of course). I will add some more in the future. Take a look and enjoy!

In Loving Memory of Santiago

Dear all,
today it's a sad day for everyone. A wonderful person has passed away and the world has lost one of the best humours and willingness to enjoy life that it has ever known. We will never forget you.

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy" (Eskimo proverb).

When I am dead, my dearest,

sing no sad songs for me;

plant thou no roses at my head,

nor shady cypress tree:

be the green grass above me

with showers and dewdrops wet;

and if thou wilt, remember,

and if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,

I shall not feel the rain;

I shall not hear the nightingale.

Sing on, as if in pain:

and dreaming through the twilight

that doth not rise nor set,

haply I may remember,

and haply may forget.
(Christina Georgina Rossetti)

Places to visit in London (XIII): a neverending list

Do you want more? Then, have it! London is a huge city with a fantastic rythm. Try and lose yourself around the streets. The best way to know a city is to walk. Please, walk along London. Yeah, of course, you will sometimes need to use public transport (double-deckers or subway). For that purpose, get an Oyster card in any underground station because it has the best prices. Now, more places to visit: Portobello Market, Notting Hill, Charing Cross Street, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, the Mansion House, the Bank of England, Downing Street (residence of the Prime Minister), Guildhall, the Royal Exchange, the Barbican, the Museum of London, London Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, the River Bank Walkways, Parliament Square, Horse Guards, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Victoria Tower Gardens, St. James Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Victoria Station, Camden Market, Hampton Court, Wimbledon, Victoria Memorial, Admiralty Arch, Royal Albert Hall of Arys and Science, Regent's Park, Grosvenor Square, Leicester Square, Millennium Bridge, Southwark Cathedral, HMM Belfast, Hays Gallery... More? Well, some more museums are theTate Modern and Tate Britain, National Portrait Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Dickens House Museum, Imperial War Museum, Natural History Museum (lovely buiding and collection, I promise), Science Museum...

In conclusion, London is such a huge city that you will never get bored! I have just come back and I am willing to return as soon as possible!

Places to Visit in London (XII): you need to stop

You need to stop at some points in your stage. Please, do visit one of the multiple typical pubs and bars not only to have a drink, but also to have breakfast or lunch. It's fun to see workers gathering and having a snack or a drink with their colleagues. Furthermore, some of these places are really beautiful and old. At night, you can have dinner in many places at a reasonable place (from 10 to 15 pounds). One final recommedation is Covent Garden, a good place to have dinner or a coffee at any time because it is full of musicioans and artists. Enjoy!

Places to visit in London (XI): Piccadilly Circus

Although this place is always exciting, I'd recommend you to go at night to see the neon signs and the meeting point for Londoners who are about to go out at night. From this place, you can walk to Oxford Circus and Carnaby Street.

Places to visit in London (XI): Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

The Great Shakespeare... A great theatre with lots of activities, exhibitions, performances, plays... Yeah, it is a must as well. It's part not only of British history, but also of world literature history. I have been there some times and I have to tell you that when I'm there I can visualize how plays were performed in the past; I can also imagine the actors performing and I can finally become a spectator... Why don''t you try? By the way, London is one of the most important places for theatre across the world. There are plent of theatres where you can see from classical morality plays to the most modern performances (Sarah Kane, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard). We could also learn from this...

Places to visit in London (X): Harrods

Please, don't crucify me yet! Everything has got an explanation. Shopping in London is typical for tourists and the place where they go is Harrods. You will tell a visitor from a Londoner by the way se or she looks at the prices and finally buys a Harrods bag, a Harrods pen or a Harrods pencil. It is ostentation in essence, that's true, but the building at night is beautiful and it's enjoyable to walk along the different sections. Have a look at clothes and food: you can find everything and if you don't, don't worry because Harrods will order it for you.

PS: compare Harrods and El Corte Inglés. Can you notice any difference?

Places to visit in London (IX): the London Eye

Yes, I know. It's not history or literature or art. But it's fun! Enjoy the best views of London from a unique point of view! It's good to have a different view of the city that you will not find anywhere else. Try and tell me!

Places to visit (VIII): Westminster Abbey

My favourite place to visit in London. Enormous, magnificent, wonderful, gorgeous, historical... There aren't enough adjectives to describe Westminster Abbey. It is an example of early English Gothic and was founded by Edward III in 1605, although mainly built with Richard III. All the flags, tombs, graves, ornamentation, kings and queens crowning ceremonies, wedding ceremonies... It is not only part of the history of England, but the History of England itself. Never mind the queues: you must visit it wether you like it or not. Is it clear? I love the Poet's Corner with Shakespeare, Donne, Melville... and actors such as Groucho Marx. In a few words, incredible, gorgeous and unforgettable. I always visit it when I'm in London...

Places to visit in London (VIII): the Houses of Parliament

Next to the cherished Big Ben, you can find the Houses of Parliament. It's the equivalent to our "Congreso de los Diputados", but, in my opinion, the building itself is much more gorgeous. It has had this function since the eleventh century, although it was from 1547 onwards that it has permanently been the site for England's government. The original structure of the building was destroyed in 1834 and the present buildings are Neogothic and were finished around 1850. Witness to many historical decisions, the Houses of Parliament survived the Gunpowder Conspiration in 1605 which was around to blow them off. It is divided into the House of Commons and the House of Lords. If you're lucky, you will be able to enter the Houses of Parliament and witness a political session as it appears on TV.

Big Ben (II): more pictures

Places to Visit in London (VII): Big Ben

Yes, the epitome of London, although Big Ben only refers to the name of the bell. When there is a light on over the clock, it means that the House of Commons is meeting at that moment. It is next to the Houses of Parliament and near Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. If you don't see the Big Ben, please do not say you've been in London!

Places to Visit in London (VI): Buckingham Palace

If you happen to be lucky, you will see the British flag on top, which means that the Queen is in the palace. It's a regular palace which is atractive, but not much if we compare it to other royal palaces as Versalles or even our Royal Palace in Madrid. Anyway, an obligatory visit. It is interesting to see the change of guards because you can see the horses, a sort of militar dance and lots of exciment issuing from visitors. Oh, walk to Buckingham along St. James Park coming from Westmisnter Abbey. Enjoy!

Places to visit in London (V): the British Museum

Well, a classic in the world of museums. It has a huge collection of painting, sculpture, ethnographical objects, antiquities... Due to the British Empire, this museum has got objects and treasures from most places in the worl. If you visit the Parthenon in Athens, you will be told that some of the chariatids are here...and it's true! An unforgettable experience is to visit the Egyptian pavillion with its mummies; take a look at the Rosseta Stone... And, of course, as the picture shows... its library!

Places to visit in London IV): Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery

Trafalgar...probably one of the symbols not only of London, but also of England. Yes, roaring lions greet the visitor as they approach the squa

re on foot. A huge square which is wonderful to visit at any time. However, it has a magic atmosphere in Christmas time because it is like our Plaza Mayor up to some point. It celebrates Nelson's victory in 1805. With its lions and fountains, it is a perfect meeting point fot Londoners. Moreover, the National Gallery is situated in Trafalgar Square. It has one of the most important collections of painting around the world ( Piero Della Francesca, Leonardo Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Rafael, Velázquez, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Monet...). As an infamous Spanish bullfighter would say: incredible.

Places to Visit in London (III): St. Paul's Cathedral

Built by Sir Christopher Wren, Saint Paul's Cathedral stands on different older temples, with the last one being destroyed in The Great Fire of London (1666). It is one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings. Its dome is only surpassed by the one in San Pedro (Rome). It's surroundings are really interesting because it turns out that this cathedral is inserted in the middle of a business area. Surprisingly, St. Paul's is in complete harmony with this awkward area. Walk around it to discover magnificient details and, of course, visit it!

Tower of London

A second glance of the Tower of London. By the way, I forgot to tell you about the Beefeaters (the Yeomen Warders, a special group of guards to be found at this place), the Crown Jewels, armours, weapons, art and, of course, the traditional ravens!

Places to visit in London (II): Tower of London

Just some metres from Tower Bridge, The Tower of London rises in the horizon defining the medieval character of the city. Most history of London is condensed in this place. It is the oldest building in the city and was always used as fortress, although it has also been a Royal Palace (with Charles II and Henry III), as a prison (for criminals, but also for kings and queens), as the treasury and even as the Royal Zoo for three hundred years. The Tower of London is divided in different areas (The White Tower, Tower Hill, The Traitor's Gate, The Salt Tower, etc.). It's a compulsory visit if you ever go to London. Don't miss it!

Tower Bridge

Just another picture to enjoy Tower Bridge!

Places to visit in London (I)

Apart from the previously mentioned Carnaby Street, there is an endless list of places to visit in London. In the following entries, you will find a reduced selection of the "must-visit" in the English capital. We start with Tower Bridge. You have seen a poetic picture at the beginning. Do you like it? I hope you do. It's a lovely place that

you love as soo as you see it. Built as a way to improve transportation in London in the XIX century, it became a symbol of modernity and has become a symbol of London itself. It offers a permanent exhibition about its construction and history. Furthermore, it also allows the visitor to enjoy breathtaking views of London. Please, don't forget to go!

Back in London one more time!

Dear all,

I've been some days back in London. It has been a long time since I last went there and I have to say that I still love it. Yes, the city has undergone a series of changes and it is still undergoing them. This show that this city is alive: alive! A city shows the character of its population and the continuous changes demonstrate that this city is still one of the most important places on earth culturally speaking. With a multicultural population, it vibrates with every living soul that inhabits and lives it. People from different origins, different cultural backgrounds, varied religious beliefs inhabit, live and coexist in a perfect harmony which cannot be found except in very specific places in the world. It's deliciouous to see this city growing, assimilating and taking advantage of all its citizens in the good sense of the word. If only we could learn a little bit... By the way, a good example of cultural diversity and vibration is to be found in Carnaby Street...

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to remind you that it is St. Patrick's Day today around the world. By the way, did you know that the first parade was performend in the U.S.A. and not in Ireland? It was the Irish-Americans' way to celebrate their origins and roots! If you want to read some information on St. Patrick and his festivity, please, do visit:

http://www.history.com/content/stpatricksday/st.-patrick-s-day-facts

Here you will find, data, anecdotes, videos... I hope you enjoy this festivity here in Spain (there are lots of Irish pubs which celebrate this event) or abroad (Dublin, the U.S.A., Canada and a long etcetera). Be careful with leprechauns and hope you are lucky enough to find a four leaf shamrock! Sloncha!

PS: there won't probably be any more translations into Spanish, as you are supposed to read, understand and produce English!!