tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73549141793608148022024-03-14T04:20:25.823+00:00AerogabyFunny and random thoughts about experiences and ideasAerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-22367808987616289172017-02-19T13:19:00.002+00:002017-02-19T13:32:23.971+00:00Polly Wants Prosecco! How Parrot-like Speak Can Prevent you from Enjoying Wine your WayI remember one story about a parrot that was rescued from a very dodgy bar by a person close to me. She told me that, every now and then, the bird would yell <b>"Get him out, he's drunk!" </b>and burst into what sounded like a maniac's <b>laughter</b>.<br />
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I think it's fascinating when a <b>parrot learns human words </b>and is able to repeat them even without really understanding what they mean. It's <b>not so cool</b> or impressive when a person is the one doing this. And yet people yelp slogans, sayings and other common places on a daily basis about any topic that touches our lives. <b>Wine </b>is not an exception.<br />
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True, you need to learn your <i>one o' ones</i> before you can question them, but in a world that changes so quickly, being able to recite the <b>10 Beaujolais Crus</b> like a trained tropical bird is not as important as trying to understand what makes them special, even if you keep forgetting <b>Régnié </b>and no matter how many mnemonic techniques you come up with to memorise it, it just doesn't stay... You know what, Régnié, it's not me it's you (this may or may not be vaguely based in a real story of studying frustration).<br />
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Anyway, I'm all up for trying to memorise the universe, but when it comes to parrot-like behaviour and wine, there are some pearls of wisdom that I find particularly dated and borderline <b>prejudiced</b>. I'm not exempt of them and I have eaten my slice of humble pie, like the time I refused to touch kindly offered <b>Sherry </b>because <i>I'm not really a Sherry person, thanks</i>. Words of a younger and dumber me (let's not go into the fact that this happened barely a few months ago). But my point is that after talking to the right people and trying the<b> right Sherry</b>, I completely came around and yes, I won't be chilling a full bottle of <b>Amontillado </b>to sip while watching House of Cards anytime soon, but I'll be happy to take a couple of glasses with<b> Game of Thrones</b> on (yes, the show I watch influences the wine I like to drink on the sofa but that's another story).<br />
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This takes me to a news story about an inexpensive sparkling wine called <b>ProGrigio </b>launched this week in Britain. The name, portmanteau of <b>Prosecco </b>and <b>Pinot Grigio</b> is a marketer's dream, and the tagline <i>If you like Prosecco, you'll love ProGrigio</i>, is composed of the stuff that makes candidates win elections.<br />
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It kind of reminds me to that episode of <b>The Simpsons</b> in which Homer accidentally hybridises tomatoes and tobacco into a new vegetable also named with a very catchy word: <b>ToMacco</b>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45dHrszrtjGDsmEA642lCkpg4LdAREaydjQljI3A0o_86w8W3p5yRLgawa5s5vGQfDlMccy21yqKfikLEYpch9Q659uENzx0coETseWeAp5R9gMAyU8fTl-fZCJujz1Rg6cJ5zu3CyEQ/s1600/Simpsons_11_01_P4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45dHrszrtjGDsmEA642lCkpg4LdAREaydjQljI3A0o_86w8W3p5yRLgawa5s5vGQfDlMccy21yqKfikLEYpch9Q659uENzx0coETseWeAp5R9gMAyU8fTl-fZCJujz1Rg6cJ5zu3CyEQ/s640/Simpsons_11_01_P4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As usual, Lisa was the only one in the family who wasn't too fond of ToMacco. Image via <a href="http://www.simpsonsworld.com/region-simpsons">simpsonsworld</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It tasted weird, and the plants were fertilised with "chemicals" to say the least (including Plutonium from Springfield's nuclear plant) but everyone wanted more of it. In the words of <b>Bart</b>, "it's smooth and mild — and refreshingly addictive." I wonder if Bart's tasting notes on <b>ToMacco </b>could be extrapolated to this innovation.<br />
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But my point is, that even while it's <b>tempting </b>to assume it's going to be of a certain quality, this is just the type of situation in which <b>parrot-like behaviour</b> becomes evident. I will assume it's only a matter of time until this product goes global (it already went viral) and Ireland will probably see some sort of <i>me too</i> on the shelves. I actually look forward to try it, not because I think it's going to blow my mind or it's going to be awful, but because after all this fuss, I just want to decide for myself.<br />
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Anyway, all of this babble was actually an excuse for me to draw animals talking about wine. So, here's a <b>little comic</b> with real phrases we all have heard plenty of times, so many times in fact that they've become<b> parrot-speak</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49byO4WnEZD1QmxufVofhYX20izkjuPVJpb_ACCQCNDUCa5kjZUbZ4fiB5yIzUme-d_jBr1-NB5E6qFZrbXzKYpmDhAOGvaT8QmAryvUSkyuSpgqZBhyphenhyphen4bvPGsHycbHS4ntl5YEcactE/s1600/Documento+1+Gaby+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49byO4WnEZD1QmxufVofhYX20izkjuPVJpb_ACCQCNDUCa5kjZUbZ4fiB5yIzUme-d_jBr1-NB5E6qFZrbXzKYpmDhAOGvaT8QmAryvUSkyuSpgqZBhyphenhyphen4bvPGsHycbHS4ntl5YEcactE/s640/Documento+1+Gaby+%25281%2529.jpg" width="628" /></a></div>
<br />Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-75710835170014717752017-02-12T15:06:00.000+00:002017-03-04T12:41:45.457+00:00Mainstream Vs. Boutique Vs. Natural Wine Lovers: How They See Each Other<div style="text-align: center;">
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I recently found an illustration by <b><a href="http://cinismoilustrado.com/post/104336196573/carn%C3%ADvoro-vegetariano-vegano">Cinismo Ilustrado</a></b> which made fun of how carnivores, vegetarians and vegans see each other. So basically, meat lovers will see each other as "normal", vegetarians as "bunnies" and vegans as "E.T." (or basically, aliens) and so on. I thought it's possible to make a similar graph comparing the way different types of wine lovers see each other.</div>
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So, while it's not all primary colours here, let's say there are three main groups:<br />
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<b>Mainstream</b>: People that love wine in general and will drink a good glass without worrying to much about the backstage process. If it's tasty, it's tasty, isn't it that simple?<br />
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<i>-Of course it isn't- Said the next type...</i><br />
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<b>Boutique:</b> Wine lovers that will value craft and small independent houses that work in an environmentally friendly way. True, sometimes a bit of chemicals are needed but as long as you don't abuse it and take good care of Mother Nature, you are in the good books. Are they right or what?<br />
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<i>-Wrong! They're part of the problem!- Said the next type...</i><br />
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<b>Natural:</b> They're to wine what Poison Ivy is to Batman. The only sane people if you ask themselves, complete extremists if you take anyone else's opinion. And while there are different categories among those who stand for natural wines, the 101 is that chemicals are bad and if you use them your wine is poisoned.<br />
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So, inspired by the aforementioned artwork, here's a little guide on <b>how do different wine lovers</b> <b>see each</b> <b>other</b> depending on which one of these groups they identify themselves with...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3IQbSCXD0Ho-Scb2akWfgevoNYQEluEX_T6ccycw8EiladDUAUTJHU6qohK4tOPSLLsqTxd5CTEXHOj7iXOgfAeJhZTluUaE3WYC3OUur7ocJ3X6U6yt50qBHV1uyaS9itPJNWrsDMw/s1600/how+do+they+see+each+other.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3IQbSCXD0Ho-Scb2akWfgevoNYQEluEX_T6ccycw8EiladDUAUTJHU6qohK4tOPSLLsqTxd5CTEXHOj7iXOgfAeJhZTluUaE3WYC3OUur7ocJ3X6U6yt50qBHV1uyaS9itPJNWrsDMw/s640/how+do+they+see+each+other.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #660000;">How <i>Mainstream </i>sees <i>Mainstream</i>: </span></b>The beautiful, cool kids. Why not aim for perfection, right?<br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">How <i>Mainstream </i>sees <i>Boutique</i>:</span> </b>Bunch of hippies, some of them are kinda Ok.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">How <i>Mainstream </i>sees <i>Natural</i>:</span> </b>You might as well join a cult. They'll be less weird.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">How <i>Boutique </i>sees <i>Mainstream</i>: </span></b>The plastics. Attractive but zero personality.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">How </span><i style="color: #274e13;">Boutique </i><span style="color: #274e13;">sees </span><i style="color: #274e13;">Boutique</i><span style="color: #274e13;">:</span> </b>Creative and kind, just happy to express themselves.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">How <i>Boutique </i>sees <i>Mainstream</i>: </span></b>Their hearts might be in the right place, but they're eccentric nuts.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #7f6000;">How <i>Natural </i>sees <i>Mainstream</i>: </span></b>Skynet meets BP oil spills and puppy killers.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #7f6000;">How <i>Natural </i>sees <i>Boutique</i>: </span></b>They seem "green" but among them they're a bunch of hypocrites with lots to hide.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #7f6000;">How <i>Natural </i>sees <i>Mainstream</i>: </span></b>The saviours of Gaia.<br />
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Obviously, it's not so divisive in real life (although I've heard pretty judgy comments from all types), Agree? Disagree? Let me know!<br />
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Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-74996069496218982622017-02-04T11:36:00.000+00:002017-02-04T11:43:18.213+00:00Cat's Piss, Wet Dog and Musk: Are we Tasting Wine or Playing Jumanji?Every time I hear someone saying a wine smells like <b>cat's piss</b> I'm immediately taken back to memories of an understaffed pet shop I used to visit ages ago just to play with the kittens. My love for kittens, just as my love for certain Sauvignon Blancs *cough, Marlborough, cough* made me endure the pungent smell, but at the same time, it prevented me from staying longer or having a second glass.<br />
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And as funky as it sounds, <b>cat's piss</b> is not the only wine aroma descriptor associated with animals that is included in the common tongue -pun intended- of sommeliers and wine people. "Farmyard", "Horse-y", "Game", "Musk" and "Wet Dog" are among the smells mentioned in tasting notes that would be more appropriate when talking about a zoo in the summer or an overcrowded gym.<br />
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These are not arbitrary or chosen by the experts to troll you, but the result of the presence of <b><i>Brettanomyces</i></b>, a type of yeast associated with aromas that you'd expect from a cage more than from a bottle. Love them or hate them, they're legit.<br />
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But why stop there? Dust your childhood books and grow your vocabulary of critters and their aromatic qualities. In order to help, here are a few<b> animal wine descriptors</b> I think the world could benefit from having...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g26j-ghIEFaax_HfYn7kbsO_tjXsCZEDNEjP1T-2OU6K1b3rOk-fSsCqN8_L7XU8tLLYXKlbkO4wHBUNl2Z5l5N4SZobAAlQ40o489wAAuTw-DdMMf0YvYWVukkugqhUayjfIWO5AwE/s1600/Comic+2+Gaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g26j-ghIEFaax_HfYn7kbsO_tjXsCZEDNEjP1T-2OU6K1b3rOk-fSsCqN8_L7XU8tLLYXKlbkO4wHBUNl2Z5l5N4SZobAAlQ40o489wAAuTw-DdMMf0YvYWVukkugqhUayjfIWO5AwE/s640/Comic+2+Gaby.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just imagine it...<br />
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<i>Oh, I sense a delicate scent of raccoon fresh out of a bin-</i><br />
<i>Absolutely, very ripe-</i><br />
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While I'm not a fan of <i>Brettanomyces</i>, or <b>Brett</b>, for the pals, I have to admit that life would be dull if everything we could find in wine was citrus and berries.
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It's kinda like in that film American Hustle, where Jennifer Lawrence's characters is obsessed with her odd-smelling nail polish. "Flowers and garbage", she describes it as. Great fit for a film where the glamorous and the trashy blended so well.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
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Rosalyn on her favorite nail polish: "It smells like flowers but w/ garbage!" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmericanHustle?src=hash">#AmericanHustle</a> <a href="http://t.co/FtSKKaEj1Z">http://t.co/FtSKKaEj1Z</a> <a href="http://t.co/AYzGlU9KdX">pic.twitter.com/AYzGlU9KdX</a></div>
— American Hustle (@AmericanHustle) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmericanHustle/status/448194421603827712">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-76080571082039271152017-01-30T19:04:00.001+00:002017-01-30T19:12:30.361+00:00Reasons why wine people need to have a good poker face 🍷 😐<div dir="ltr">
I'm barely acceptable at Texas Hold'em (am I?) but I like to think that I have a decent poker face. <br />
I've had to develop one so I can avoid rolling my eyes at the wrong bureaucrat, raise an eyebrow when I hear something shocking or laugh at the face of someone telling me Riesling is going to be the next Pinot Grigio. </div>
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Which takes me to wine. Most of the time, socialising around it will bring the most sincere smile to my face, but for those few times when my left eye wants to twitch and my jaw wants to drop, it's good to imagine that I have a Royal Flush in my hand and I'm trying to pretend I'm debating whether to stay or fold.</div>
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Here's a little comic I drew about some of the moments when having a good poker face around wine will make your life easier. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-T5dhCXrhkbdWLg_dyapBiSABCgp_Mx-eMXq8j8urt25weK8zqD591G26tExN1Dae2iSA-6buw8GjG4jcXz4HD1Uci6u83AJgI-gKjFqtPNVf1dB9-ec89t34rtixlkBR1xUfn3u8gw/s1600/Documento+1+Gaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-T5dhCXrhkbdWLg_dyapBiSABCgp_Mx-eMXq8j8urt25weK8zqD591G26tExN1Dae2iSA-6buw8GjG4jcXz4HD1Uci6u83AJgI-gKjFqtPNVf1dB9-ec89t34rtixlkBR1xUfn3u8gw/s640/Documento+1+Gaby.jpg" width="634" /></a></div>
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Can you think of another occasion in which a good poker face becomes handy for wine lovers? Feel free to send it my way! I could draw it next </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "segoe ui emoji"; font-size: 20px;">😁</span></div>
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Let me know! <a class="twitter-mention-button" data-show-count="false" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?screen_name=Aerogaby">Tweet to @Aerogaby</a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-40835432044370804012016-08-14T14:43:00.000+01:002016-08-14T14:43:59.445+01:00Yes, We Won the Geographic Lottery but that Shouldn't Be the Only Thing to be Proud About for VenezuelansMost people point to their own when asked to find the best country in the world. I don't think there is such thing, as every place has their strengths and weakness, but I often hear/read Venezuelans exalting ours as the top of the top (yes, despite the current crisis, as judging the country for what's been like during the last few years is like judging a person's health taking only into account that critical week they spent in intensive care after a car crash).<br />
However, when asked why do they believe that, you'll hear them frequently mention the stunning Angel Falls, the beautiful white-sand clear-water beaches and the world's biggest oil reserves. All those things which just happened to be there before the country was even formed.<br />
I decided to do an exercise and do a Google Image search on the "wonders" of several countries...<br />
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Here's France...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ2pyXZdVQoX-ikJ4j4ShUqJHFUwuhqgzlwbjNzE4eaQvQjEwjrh6IYyQ_CyD_E-lcPCCjTjfcDYFh2TB8GfWmmCV9Ds9Yr_GyHyjmDJ-cvGdBXi6qGVBgNtjwVUK1JxAl1BVtRxs4Hs/s1600/wonders+france.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ2pyXZdVQoX-ikJ4j4ShUqJHFUwuhqgzlwbjNzE4eaQvQjEwjrh6IYyQ_CyD_E-lcPCCjTjfcDYFh2TB8GfWmmCV9Ds9Yr_GyHyjmDJ-cvGdBXi6qGVBgNtjwVUK1JxAl1BVtRxs4Hs/s640/wonders+france.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And Italy...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuS2UWaMEBkYiyD4TvdP4Buh8tnxv4uLxcuL8fLqHxx9Bpk41KxTNi2KPKFUGOiiM0xBTRY6P4YCXBc2JAIQu1bFbADDGo8Uw5W1nsHukpwJkespWK0wbEweB3UYURp3DHpFi1L2Vm7U/s1600/wonders+italy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuS2UWaMEBkYiyD4TvdP4Buh8tnxv4uLxcuL8fLqHxx9Bpk41KxTNi2KPKFUGOiiM0xBTRY6P4YCXBc2JAIQu1bFbADDGo8Uw5W1nsHukpwJkespWK0wbEweB3UYURp3DHpFi1L2Vm7U/s640/wonders+italy.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is Ireland...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrtIEWo9zk5B1b75qnIbBxkFGKM95e1lqDzB1DcOjF5jn6Pr8gY64XGqzP17F2MnPm_ysqNzskgwC3hWNsNNnmSJNJ1fVw6S436Dth5iG0hW_mXsNfDUqlNY36uRrGyvyW8viq_VlOJE/s1600/wonders+ireland.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrtIEWo9zk5B1b75qnIbBxkFGKM95e1lqDzB1DcOjF5jn6Pr8gY64XGqzP17F2MnPm_ysqNzskgwC3hWNsNNnmSJNJ1fVw6S436Dth5iG0hW_mXsNfDUqlNY36uRrGyvyW8viq_VlOJE/s640/wonders+ireland.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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What's my point? Well... The last three screenshots of searches feature a mix of cultural, archaeological and historical "wonders", And it's not just something you'll find when searching European countries...<br />
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This is India...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCf6ipUqwgOHlEJInBHbCOfkCGMxgmt4dUgobnYnnd7SxAxHUzpQmu1wsSAQk00hJeg39VKwTFtEUzVVUR1thucpJzdbKM9JikX1pCMdDVmTxGv8vB1uoS8ExxFiCUDwrhA35jXQz6fA/s1600/wonders+india.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCf6ipUqwgOHlEJInBHbCOfkCGMxgmt4dUgobnYnnd7SxAxHUzpQmu1wsSAQk00hJeg39VKwTFtEUzVVUR1thucpJzdbKM9JikX1pCMdDVmTxGv8vB1uoS8ExxFiCUDwrhA35jXQz6fA/s640/wonders+india.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And below, Japan...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7IaN6JIG8dIk35AF_kr-k9kO36_MEz2rZ0ob7e8LuodHZWc6kU8gaK6jvLNyj7Sw8fXSbgKHMm47G_gY4HKrdAUC8EtiHHTRAxUUL9S2uPamPQoB85f_CFt4Z7PyZ7QEd2QmD-tFE4o/s1600/wonders+japan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7IaN6JIG8dIk35AF_kr-k9kO36_MEz2rZ0ob7e8LuodHZWc6kU8gaK6jvLNyj7Sw8fXSbgKHMm47G_gY4HKrdAUC8EtiHHTRAxUUL9S2uPamPQoB85f_CFt4Z7PyZ7QEd2QmD-tFE4o/s640/wonders+japan.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Again, beautiful natural landscapes with iconic buildings that show their rich, interesting culture and history. </div>
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But you don't need to go so far to find more examples...</div>
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Peru seems to have a favourite wonder...</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVReT4uoGzrchHICS9O2q4sE0u_1_lBKvUUsS5j9vEMm1DxU41MeU8DbG1Pr8p2GfF3lX-4258BD8IRHdTTgKsWdOuSirCqSgKrQgv8VEDJ9FqfKVfw1KFjl0G-FTVc-iPGhzXL4LMia4/s1600/wonders+peru.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVReT4uoGzrchHICS9O2q4sE0u_1_lBKvUUsS5j9vEMm1DxU41MeU8DbG1Pr8p2GfF3lX-4258BD8IRHdTTgKsWdOuSirCqSgKrQgv8VEDJ9FqfKVfw1KFjl0G-FTVc-iPGhzXL4LMia4/s640/wonders+peru.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And Brazil also has an iconic image, alternating with natural sites...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxhewP0sKb48lyPbm-WYCTDJLOXvdP611tRw9_QNVRS-nOqJ8oegX3zx0sFLCnYe4OGP07YLI2RPp8K6T8xnr9BP-Jge3_0ocD1r6x70Mp0O12ZgRSIn-ia0mauUMj8AR6fx1mx_fJmk/s1600/wonders+brazil.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxhewP0sKb48lyPbm-WYCTDJLOXvdP611tRw9_QNVRS-nOqJ8oegX3zx0sFLCnYe4OGP07YLI2RPp8K6T8xnr9BP-Jge3_0ocD1r6x70Mp0O12ZgRSIn-ia0mauUMj8AR6fx1mx_fJmk/s640/wonders+brazil.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mexico also has a mix of heritage and wilderness...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvK20D3IbKroDIhzMWPSmY99K77Umx98dpJ0sf4bWWTNqPuOaqk7bjpx308lPGyX4o7EUNk1KoMClpPoojR4n-omCkbY10AzVTQYMuks8yyU8D-GXolBHgqwv8TVpoXS-9VW3KvcfFmU/s1600/wonders+mexico.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvK20D3IbKroDIhzMWPSmY99K77Umx98dpJ0sf4bWWTNqPuOaqk7bjpx308lPGyX4o7EUNk1KoMClpPoojR4n-omCkbY10AzVTQYMuks8yyU8D-GXolBHgqwv8TVpoXS-9VW3KvcfFmU/s640/wonders+mexico.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, a Google Image search of "Venezuela wonders"...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkgKXt6LLzhxFvb9yqBkVGHL1j6NqQnd-mZ1OUkWMbArNyovMb9uC-QJ-0rX3vcDTPmNwatRCNIObZ0HmPFZkg54VI2JFR9YR7s8PZxPtu4zB2dLmrghg_wbK5IFXHIQFx7GzFO0ZQNc/s1600/wonders+venezuela.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkgKXt6LLzhxFvb9yqBkVGHL1j6NqQnd-mZ1OUkWMbArNyovMb9uC-QJ-0rX3vcDTPmNwatRCNIObZ0HmPFZkg54VI2JFR9YR7s8PZxPtu4zB2dLmrghg_wbK5IFXHIQFx7GzFO0ZQNc/s640/wonders+venezuela.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The green, the untamed rainforest, the waterfalls, the beaches, more beaches, more waterfalls... Beautiful isn't it? I am not denying how amazing all of those are, but it'd be nice to see a cultural or historical landmark, something human-made that is worthy of getting a nod on the first page of a Google Images search, modern or ancient.<br />
It's not like there isn't any human achievement to be proud of, the work of <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Cruz-Diez">painters</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.carolinaherrera.com/">designers</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humberto_Fern%C3%A1ndez_Mor%C3%A1n">scientists</a> </b>and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_D%C3%ADaz_(karateka)" style="font-weight: bold;">athletes</a> born in Venezuela is top class, Hey! Simón Bolivar features as the 72nd most influential people of the MILLENIUM according to <b><a href="http://edunettech.blogspot.ie/2010/09/top-100-most-infuential-people-of-last.html">Biography by A&E Network</a></b>.<br />
So yes, be proud (and do your bit to protect) the green and the wavy, but also show some love to the work of talented people.<br />
It's like when someone says they love a person, and it's thanks to their lovely face and beautiful body... what about their personality and their intelligence?<br />
This is by no means a rant, just an invitation to value the work of people too. Next time you recommend stuff to a tourist, don't only talk about the natural wonders, send them to a museum too or to a historical site. Maybe if enough people did that, the Google Image search would be different.Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-79211806552487961562016-07-31T14:30:00.000+01:002016-07-31T14:36:55.470+01:00To Which Harry Potter House Would Wines Be Assigned by the Sorting Hat?Who didn't ask themselves in which Hogwarts house they'd be assigned by the old sorting hat that decided pretty much the next seven years of all the new students in Harry Potter's school?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmrQN2uB3YatQkTsGUYTAOsGRRP0tkMW20l54rAeaLklAGGp22RfnwSDlSVLT1hYwbrXgs7nKXPvifymVzzWRZqZ5byKz0_iV7N8K0gChGcla_UJbRcldF4H5UdYsmLrVS9HMcSuuxBA/s1600/41ed6cd3051b5843cbd537b2683d8f55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmrQN2uB3YatQkTsGUYTAOsGRRP0tkMW20l54rAeaLklAGGp22RfnwSDlSVLT1hYwbrXgs7nKXPvifymVzzWRZqZ5byKz0_iV7N8K0gChGcla_UJbRcldF4H5UdYsmLrVS9HMcSuuxBA/s400/41ed6cd3051b5843cbd537b2683d8f55.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/erikah94/potterhead-3/">pinterest.com/erikah94</a></td></tr>
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In case you're wondering, here's a quiz you can take to figure out where you belong:<br />
<h1 id="post-title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "proxima nova", helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 38px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/mackenziekruvant/which-hogwarts-house-do-you-belong-in?utm_term=.joG3n7g02#.pnAWxzpqQ"><span style="font-size: large;">Which Hogwarts House Do You Belong In?</span></a></h1>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/mackenziekruvant/which-hogwarts-house-do-you-belong-in?utm_term=.joG3n7g02#.pnAWxzpqQ"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUpW1hPopdsJWawm8XagfBQyDhUbU1eDl2nNukU0NBGIq26oQNWNzMKjyiUy67dvXeMm-oXgxVisOtCmvSDGpYtUaYUyTcSvybegcl2-Xs7j9CrAY3EECcmFZsacL_4ySr0yuEunKF3w/s400/harry+potter.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/mackenziekruvant/which-hogwarts-house-do-you-belong-in?utm_term=.joG3n7g02#.pnAWxzpqQ">"Please don't send me to Slytherin"</a></td></tr>
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Now, let's pretend wines were also assigned to different houses based on their traits... These are some famous wines, sorted into the four Hogwarts houses according to their characteristics [Thanks to <b><a href="http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Hogwarts_Houses">harrypotter.wikia</a></b> for summarising what the houses stand for so well]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWSQ0Wd31_XSU86yIzQGa9vM0I32h2ReQIfH6dgOndWKBAWQGNtsxvfH9EIvrcHefLR9r2CcKwGHbyX2qRQBjOo6nb_tMrP5rP6dRq8H8Gm5n2zfGZGGuW4MXZuhp_LVU5tw5u4lh6dY/s1600/Gryffindor_Crest-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWSQ0Wd31_XSU86yIzQGa9vM0I32h2ReQIfH6dgOndWKBAWQGNtsxvfH9EIvrcHefLR9r2CcKwGHbyX2qRQBjOo6nb_tMrP5rP6dRq8H8Gm5n2zfGZGGuW4MXZuhp_LVU5tw5u4lh6dY/s1600/Gryffindor_Crest-0.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">GRYFFINDOR</span></b><br />
Stands for bravery, heroism and chivalry. Its emblematic animal is the lion, its element is Fire and its colours are scarlet and gold.<br />
Famous Gryffindors include: Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.<br />
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<b>GRYFFINDOR WINES</b><br />
These wines are bold and bright, full of flavour and made from noble grapes. Bordeaux wines -both reds and whites- will totally go to Gryffindor, as well as Argentinian Malbec and Californian Chardonnay.<br />
Among the bubbles, this would be Champagne's house.<br />
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<b>ONE TO TRY:</b> <i>Silver Palm Chardonnay - California - 13.5% ABV</i><br />
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<img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKnKtYyqTYAOCDEkyMBwTFOSfL9Pa18RVTrAxr5Jzp6rbW1fTvMvhNy-xw3INVd7Zd4mQIo3OOufrqCu_yK4lt-6Fap03_AdoO2nQG0-TzxhpJ_RJUkyrIMerw-K9Ci_awL4ZT41z9bY/s640/15WUSA001-Silver-Palm-Chardonnay.png" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENlkDfmELnDSAyPKSMzvvoKIlOtXxkhYmRGjbSSaDg7d1W9B1Xoa9ANshZAu9lRniHEkh3tX8dYk6HybucmKRAFw31l3BsLHhpucIk8mkrL4b7mCZg2KCpwQ0DunaoBZ7cO04IhDZnNM/s1600/Download_%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENlkDfmELnDSAyPKSMzvvoKIlOtXxkhYmRGjbSSaDg7d1W9B1Xoa9ANshZAu9lRniHEkh3tX8dYk6HybucmKRAFw31l3BsLHhpucIk8mkrL4b7mCZg2KCpwQ0DunaoBZ7cO04IhDZnNM/s1600/Download_%25289%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">HUFFLEPUFF</span></b><br />
Values hard work, patience, loyalty and family. Its emblematic animal is the badger, its element is Earth and its colours are yellow and black.<br />
Famous Hufflepuffs include: Hengist of Woodcroft (founder of Hogsmeade), and Artemisia Lufkin (first female minister for magic).
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<b>HUFFLEPUFF WINES</b><br />
These wines are crafty and usually come from family run vineyards, Albariño would be in this house for sure, and so would Chianti Riserva. Among New World wines, New Zealand wines would be sent here as well. Portuguese Port is also a Hufflepuff. Bubbles wise, Cremants are the chosen ones.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>ONE TO TRY:</b> <i>Pirueta Albariño - Spain - 12.5% ABV</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdnpJbYxrXUkkF7fSeMWImgEy4CLH5RLoaDq_Qobchv0KsefLLhkIzJfFNAksj-aZc9PCcEO7M37O2Bldr6nThhfuZ6OYwl1Vz63DqLANdVhXVbSjrmaiL8PeCVE4BGtt-gqpAN2QUd0/s1600/16wsp007_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdnpJbYxrXUkkF7fSeMWImgEy4CLH5RLoaDq_Qobchv0KsefLLhkIzJfFNAksj-aZc9PCcEO7M37O2Bldr6nThhfuZ6OYwl1Vz63DqLANdVhXVbSjrmaiL8PeCVE4BGtt-gqpAN2QUd0/s640/16wsp007_1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBptKhtXhJXDD5JKvFd1JdFHAtUDBtaRMvJgriYXwCpfDT6yPTWFoNFCOKnPv0o-0ZgsO3ywzLP1ZJkkaOGYleEqNy_aTF94bDGexolE719slRZBYaw68ytazk4UInvXHC_M87NB5xW8/s1600/Download_%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBptKhtXhJXDD5JKvFd1JdFHAtUDBtaRMvJgriYXwCpfDT6yPTWFoNFCOKnPv0o-0ZgsO3ywzLP1ZJkkaOGYleEqNy_aTF94bDGexolE719slRZBYaw68ytazk4UInvXHC_M87NB5xW8/s1600/Download_%25284%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">RAVENCLAW</span></b><br />
For this house it's all about intelligence, knowledge and wit. Its emblematic animal is an eagle, its element is Air and its colours are blue and bronze.<br />
Famous Ravenclaws include: Luna Lovegood, and Garrick Ollivander.
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<b>RAVENCLAW WINES</b><br />
The wines can be a bit quirky and a little bit light in body and/or flavour. They might be a bit missundertood by some, but those who get them know they are capable of great things. Beaujolais among the reds, and Rieslings within the whites. Most rosé wines would also end up here, probably sharing room with Prosecco.<br />
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<b>ONE TO TRY:</b> <i>L'Ostal Cases Rose - France - 13% ABV</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4YQCOFDMy0R8nPGUUeNJ7AkzriwqE96NNhTOaYNizbod5H3ZZf-ayQ7unpPY643AGL22qXOYEfZKz2FshFpXz7rnoTH4j8Ob-zu5KGvj7-wrj2YjN1h_HDf08PW-6pQc1jAF4bH-Kr8/s1600/12WFRA002-L_Ostal-Cazes-Rose.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4YQCOFDMy0R8nPGUUeNJ7AkzriwqE96NNhTOaYNizbod5H3ZZf-ayQ7unpPY643AGL22qXOYEfZKz2FshFpXz7rnoTH4j8Ob-zu5KGvj7-wrj2YjN1h_HDf08PW-6pQc1jAF4bH-Kr8/s640/12WFRA002-L_Ostal-Cazes-Rose.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLuWbLR1_kn2VFvkKLUOcU0prGfnWwVKp-vPzn3lf39FDskhTaSH1hG_3CRMkQQqHy9ZVX6qJLv83Q8ow3GSEqelIuHUDgEmFsToOmc5BYaqqudFFjJjIxuYdU_rAbnHubw5wp9-CBeM/s1600/slytherin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLuWbLR1_kn2VFvkKLUOcU0prGfnWwVKp-vPzn3lf39FDskhTaSH1hG_3CRMkQQqHy9ZVX6qJLv83Q8ow3GSEqelIuHUDgEmFsToOmc5BYaqqudFFjJjIxuYdU_rAbnHubw5wp9-CBeM/s1600/slytherin.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">SLYTHERIN</span></b><br />
This house values ambition, cunning and resourcefulnes. Its emblematic animal is the serpent, its element is water and its colours are silver and green.<br />
Famous Slytherins include: Merlin, Tom Riddle, and Dolores Umbridge.
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<b>SLYTHERIN WINES</b><br />
Elegant and refined, Sancerre wines would be exemplary Slytherins and so would Torrontés and Sherry. Red wines would be mostly made from Pinot Noir, although Amarone would be a rare example of an Italian sent to this house. In the sparkling department, Cava would represent the house.<br />
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<b>ONE TO TRY:</b> <i>Chanson Bourgogne Pinot Noir - France - 12.5% ABV</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUaB2nwLlhPtcSgtf2xF9I4IpUhfLJw0_swWVYosWZzSjzB6sRFNcvkOo46OMn2JQCpFOf-NGhRxEjdTJraB-sIEnCVD8bQp57dLUCnaRvFCAHJ15KJupWlTDx1lhaQcH53bP4vvdAR8/s1600/21481-Chanson-Bourgogne-Pinot-Noir.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUaB2nwLlhPtcSgtf2xF9I4IpUhfLJw0_swWVYosWZzSjzB6sRFNcvkOo46OMn2JQCpFOf-NGhRxEjdTJraB-sIEnCVD8bQp57dLUCnaRvFCAHJ15KJupWlTDx1lhaQcH53bP4vvdAR8/s640/21481-Chanson-Bourgogne-Pinot-Noir.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>By the way, if you're in Ireland, all the wines are available at <b><a href="https://www.obrienswine.ie/">O'Briens Wines</a></b> and all are under €20</i>Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-91994699675940363852016-05-22T11:11:00.000+01:002016-05-22T11:20:48.902+01:00 Ten Weird Things I've Been Asked Abroad After I Say I Live in IrelandAfter discussing the <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2016/04/ten-weird-things-ive-been-asked-abroad.html">random things that people tell me when I say I'm Venezuelan</a></b>, I realised that it works both ways, so why not gather some of the comments, questions and "pearls of wisdom" that I've been given when people abroad learn that I'm living in <b>Dublin</b>.<br />
I'll include those that I heard during the process of <a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2016/01/the-little-things-that-start-to-happen.html"><b>moving here over two years ago</b></a>, when I told people the good news, and I realise that the <b>Emerald Island</b> is not as well known as I assumed and many looked at me like I just said I'd be flying to <b>Neverland</b>.<br />
I won't name names, but be sure that at least one of those came from my loving parents.<br />
<br />
<b>1. What will you do if you don't speak Irish?: </b>I'll speak English like pretty much everyone else.<br />
<b>2. Aren't you afraid of the IRA?: </b>They look pretty scary in Peaky Blinders, but I fear most the un-organised Venezuelan crime.<br />
<b>3. Now that you're in Europe, you'll get to travel by train to so many places!: </b>This one genuinely didn't know that Ireland is an Island (#Facepalm).<br />
<b>4. You better watch your drinking: </b>You better watch your drinking everywhere.<br />
<b>5. The weather is horrible and it rains every day, you know that?:</b> I've seen worst and you need the rain to have the green so I'll happily put up with that (it's not as bad as I though anyway, we do get some sunny hours through the year).<br />
<b>6. Do you know a lot of gay people?:</b> I've no idea, I'm not going around asking to see their membership card.<br />
<b>7. They film Game of Thrones in Ireland!:</b> Yes, miles away from my house. It's still awesome.<br />
<b>8. Is Ireland a part of the UK?: </b>No. Northern Ireland is, and even though they're both part of the same island, they function as two separate states.<br />
<b>9. Is it true that you can't get the pill?:</b> It's prescription only, which is weird, but it's widely available.<br />
<b>10. Do you eat potatoes every day?</b> I increased my potato consumption in about 500% since I moved here, but I wouldn't go as far as to say I have them "every day".<br />
<br />
<b>Runners up: </b>"Hey, I saw Ireland in that movie about a girl that wants to marry a guy", "I've heard Irish funerals are the best", "Do you like Guinness?", "Have you ran into Bono?", "Have you gone to <i>Star Wars </i>island?",<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.dublinvisitorcentre.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Mr-Tayto_Main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" height="200" src="https://www.dublinvisitorcentre.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Mr-Tayto_Main.jpg" width="400" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ireland's "Mickey Mouse" is literally a Smiling Potato Man</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo via <a href="https://www.dublinvisitorcentre.ie/blog-tayto-park-fun-for-all-the-family/">dublinvisitorcentre.ie</a>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyhow, I've said it before, <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/06/10-times-in-which-dublin-was-just-like.html">Dublin has lots in common with one of the cities I grew up in</a></b>, so adapting has been a pleasure and I'm happy to translate and to answer all of people's dumb questions, as long as they come from <b>curiosity </b>and not from the intention of annoying or sabotaging me.<br />
<br />
Are you in Ireland? Do your friends back home ask you random weird stuff about your new home? Or are you Irish abroad and your new friends keep guessing weird stuff about your home town?Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-19869141647161194482016-04-30T13:25:00.000+01:002016-04-30T15:05:36.576+01:00Ten Weird Things I've Been Asked Abroad After I Say I'm VenezuelanI've recently discussed the <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/10/the-10-types-of-venezuelans-youll-find.html">types of Venezuelans you'll meet abroad</a></b>, and due to the fact that I've been lucky enough to travel a little bit, I've been able to stumble upon all of them here and there.<br />
But that is <b>about how we see each other</b>. Now, I've noticed that it's harder to realise <b>how others see us</b>, mainly because most people are polite enough not to tell it to your face when it's bad.<br />
However, sometimes curiosity brings the cat to <b>ask the oddest stuff </b>and I've collected a few of the questions that people have asked just after I mention one of my nationalities (I've a multiple nationality disorder, the other two being Italian and Polish, but that's another story).<br />
<br />
<b>1. Did you hear about the [insert latest traumatising event]:</b> Yes, it's all over my freaking Facebook timeline.<br />
<b>2. Do you guys really have the prettiest girls? (said usually by guys):</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>Depend's who's judging. We also have mannequins shaped as women with heavy plastic surgery,<b> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/07/world/americas/mannequins-give-shape-to-venezuelan-fantasy.html">as seen on The New York Times</a></b>.<br />
<b>3. Would you teach me how to dance salsa?: </b>I wish I could, but I've the salsa dancing abilities of a potato.<br />
<b>4. What the ____ it's going on over there?: </b>A bit of it all, I actually <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2016/04/what-happened-to-venezuela-i-will.html">wrote a piece about it</a></b> so I can share it when someone really wants to know.<br />
<b>5. Why are you so white? (Asked many times in several countries): </b>Because I'm part Elf, thank-you-very-much.<br />
<b>6. Did you see Caracas on that Homeland episode? (said by guy at a party):</b> I don't watch that show but I'm assuming it was super-violent and chaotic (<b><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2701952/Slum-starred-Homeland-cleared-Worlds-tallest-squat-emptied-soldiers-notorious-world.html">It was</a></b>).<br />
<b>7. Oh... You're the ones with Hugo Chavez... He died, didn't he?:</b> Yes. He's just where he belongs now.<br />
<b>8. Don't you guys have lots of oil?:</b> We do. Your point being?<br />
<b>9. Did you read about the dude in Caracas that lived like a <a href="http://www.vice.com/read/i-lived-like-a-king-for-a-month-in-venezuela-on-100-euros-876">rock star for a month with 100 euros</a>? (a friend at a pub):</b> I did, and sorry to rain on your parade but I've the feeling that was staged.<br />
<b>10. Oh wow! You're so far from home!:</b> Home is at a 25 minutes walk from Dublin City Centre now.<br />
<br />
Finally, I'll leave you with a little comic, based on the "<b><a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/how-people-view-me-after-i-say-im">How People View Me After I Say I'm Russian</a></b>". Here's "<b>How People View Me After I Say I'm Venezuelan</b>".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumjc_u4bm24Yd9gJfSJKTmzWoG8_XWxsKNYU7m9NrNcrhTuth2C9nTJqIuSIDPlaJ2EN1iSe8FKWwdGFXStndFOSxEIQI_PJhUhPEC0j5Lkm5TtF_Zww85BoxBITLpzq-EhFpvmUZSa0/s1600/How+People+View+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How People View Me After I Say I'm Venezuelan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumjc_u4bm24Yd9gJfSJKTmzWoG8_XWxsKNYU7m9NrNcrhTuth2C9nTJqIuSIDPlaJ2EN1iSe8FKWwdGFXStndFOSxEIQI_PJhUhPEC0j5Lkm5TtF_Zww85BoxBITLpzq-EhFpvmUZSa0/s1600/How+People+View+Me.jpg" title="How People View Me After I Say I'm Venezuelan" /></a></div>
<br />Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-56045679688430574602016-04-09T16:15:00.001+01:002016-04-15T14:30:08.112+01:00What happened to Venezuela? I will explain you as I would to a friendQuite often, I find myself trying to answer some version of this question: "What the ____ happened in Venezuela?". For this, I will tell the story as I would tell it to a friend.<br />
I will divide it in acts that you can easily skip (but if you really want to go down the rabbit hole, then read the whole thing). Also, I'll use the least possible amount of dates or stuff that you might easily forget.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PROLOGUE</span></b><br />
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<br />
Once upon a time, <b>America </b>(the continent, not the USA) was inhabited by three great civilizations: <b>Incas </b>(the ones from The Emperor's New Groove), <b>Mayas </b>(the ones that said the world would end in 2012) and <b>Aztecs </b>(the ones that were into chocolate and human sacrifice).<br />
There were also loads of smaller and less organised tribes running around, and <b>Venezuela </b>was full of those. Hunting, gathering and fishing, these guys had no idea that on the other side of the world there was a man named <b>Christopher Columbus</b> (Cristóbal Colón for Spanish speakers) who was <i>crownfunding </i>to find a cheaper and safer way to get to India.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ACT I: IT STARTED WITH A WAR</span></b><br />
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<b><br /></b>
It was 1492 and your man <b>Columbus </b>finally found land, but it wasn't India. He soon realised that but decided to call the inhabitants of this new tropical haven <b><i>indians</i> </b>anyway. Some huts on the water reminded him of Venice, and then, he named the land <b><i>Venezuela</i> </b>(little Venice if you want to be flattering with your translation).<br />
The place was quickly colonized in the name of <b>Spain</b>. The locals became servants or withdrew to the deep wild (the ones that survived, that is), and the harder labour was made by slaves brought from Africa. All the cool jobs were reserved for the Spanish.<br />
Somehow, the population got VERY diverse and in a couple of centuries there were 50 shades of people. Many of them wanted a go on the VIP seats.<br />
The<b> American War of Independence</b> (now I mean the country) and the <b>French Revolution</b> inspired the lighter shades to get rid of their glass ceiling later on the XVIII Century.<br />
A guy named <b>Simón Bolívar</b> led the process which took the first quarter of the XIX century. Then he went on to do the same in the rest of<b> South America</b>. In case you wonder, he died of TB (although nowadays propaganda makers are trying to come up with evidence that he was murdered).<br />
On those days, there wasn't a "Venezuela" on its own, it was a mix of us, Colombia and Ecuador that was called <b>"Gran Colombia"</b> (please never call it "Columbia", thanks). The place was too large and no one had Internet or Smart Phones, so communications sucked and eventually it divided in the three aforementioned states (Colombians got to keep the name, no one complained).<br />
Now, it was mid XIX century, the country was finally independent, and <b>Venezuelans </b>could follow their dreams or whatever. In 1854, slavery was abolished (three decades after everyone else was "free" but still in need to run profitable plantations) just in time for a long and bloody <b>CIVIL WAR. </b>I've heard from some history experts that this has been one of the most shameful ways to abolish slavery, not my opinion, theirs (but I agree).<br />
Known as the <b>FEDERAL WAR</b> (1859-1863), it was to blame for about 100,000 deaths in a rural country with just above one million people at the time.<br />
After it, a series of short term presidencies (including one that lasted two months) paved the way for a long term relationship with the fanciest dictator the country ever had: <b>Antonio Guzmán Blanco.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ACT II: BLACK GOLD, A BLESSING AND A CURSE</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Antonio Guzmán Blanco</b> ruled the country three times (1870-1877, 1879-1884, 1886-1887). He was a well educated <b>francophile </b>that brought some actual progress and modernity to the land, but don't let his impeccable manners fool you, the guy was a <b>dictator </b>(think Django Unchained's Monsieur Candie meets The Hunger Games' President Snow). After almost two decades of playing tennis (Venezuela being the ball), he voluntarily exiled to <b>Paris </b>where he lived in luxury for the rest of his life.<br />
After that, another round of forgettable wannabes took turns to see if they could open the jar (Venezuela being the jar). This loosened it up for a new <b>dictator </b>to come along and take all the pickles.<br />
<b>Juan Vicente Gómez</b>, took over after a<b> <i>coup d'etat</i></b> in 1908 and ruled directly or indirectly (through puppet presidents in between his three terms) until 1935. <b>That is 27 years.</b> Unlike his fancy predecessor, Gómez was what some would call a <i>hillbilly </i>(unsophisticated country person). A very hateful, authoritarian, bloodthirsty <i>hillbilly.</i><br />
Did I mentioned <b>oil was discovered</b> early on during his presidency? This is important because he conceded exploring and drilling permits to all his <b>friends</b>, who went on to pass them to foreign companies. In 1914, in the western city of <b>Maracaibo</b>, they discovered the first important oilfield and ten minutes later, we were all playing baseball and drinking Coca-Cola.<br />
<b>Oil </b>became so important and profitable that there was no point in working the land any more, and quickly, <b>coffee and cocoa</b> -the two main sources of income until then- were replaced completely for the new toxic black liquid in town (the oil, not the Coca-Cola).<br />
<b>Country folks left their farms</b> in large numbers looking for a better life in the big cities and people came from all over the world to get their piece of the cake. But life in the city wasn't kind to everyone and many families started settling in slums in the outskirts where they could be conveniently <b>ignored </b>for decades. We'll come to them later.<br />
In 1935, when Gómez retired from dictatorship (because he died), we decided to give a go at this thing called <b>democracy</b>, and what better way to start it than with another <b><i>coup d'etat</i>?</b> It happened in 1945 and the promise was that fair and free <b>elections </b>would be held soon. Three years later, that actually happened and everyone was very happy (I bet you didn't see that coming, did you?).<br />
Also, <b>World War Two </b>was over and lots of<b> European refugees</b> moved to the country, bringing their expertise and culture to the mix. I will add here that they were received with open arms and welcomed sincerely from day one (but to be fair, they learnt the language and tried their best to adapt ASAP which clearly helps).<br />
So, peace, lots of money coming in, people voting, electricity, TV, telephone lines, <b>the poor </b>in slums behind the mountain growing rapidly in numbers (but we'll worry about them later). The fruit was ripe for another <b>dictator </b>to take a bite.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ACT III: IT'S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES AN EYE</span></b><br />
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<b><br /></b>
In 1952, yet another <i><b>coup d'etat</b></i> left the country in the hands of a <b>military </b><i><b>junta</b> </i>lead by <b>General Marcos Pérez Jiménez</b> who soon proceeded to name <b>General Marcos Pérez Jiménez</b> as "provisional" President of Venezuela.<br />
Like all Stockholm Syndrome victims, many Venezuelans remember him with <b>fondness</b>. How could you not? A guy that <b>built </b>the hospitals, <b>paid </b>the debts and actually <b>invested </b>more than he <b>stole </b>(and he stole A LOT). The same guy that tortured the students, the journalists and everyone that didn't want him as a Big Brother. Again, how could you not love him? You had to. A lot. Or else.<br />
<br />
Guess what happened on <b>January 23rd, 1958?</b><br />
a) Marcos Pérez Jiménez said he was tired and retired to the French Alps to become a cheese maker.<br />
b) Marcos Pérez Jiménez was visited by the three ghosts of Christmas and became a nice guy.<br />
<b>c) A <i>Coup d'etat</i>.</b><br />
<br />
Surprisingly, the answer is "C". Although he did retire in <b>Europe</b>, and lived in Spain until dying from a heart attack in 2001.<br />
<br />
At this point, the leaders of the biggest political parties at the time decided to gather and make an agreement to strengthen <b>democracy</b>, known as the <i><b>Pacto de Punto Fijo</b>. </i>Representatives of <b>AD </b>(the <b>white </b>ones), <b>COPEI </b>(the <b>green </b>ones) and <b>URD </b>(the <b>yellow </b>ones) were the signatories. <b>PVC </b>(the <b>red </b>ones, because of its banner's colours but also because they were openly communists) were excluded.<br />
This omission was as smart as that time when the Queen and the King forgot to invite <b>Maleficent </b>to their welcome-baby-princess party. But they'd have time to worry about the spinning wheel cursed with the socialists' resentment later.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popandsizzle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/maleficent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.popandsizzle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/maleficent.jpg" height="210" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>So you didn't invite the commies to your party? They'll remember</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now it seemed like things were back on track.<br />
Yes, there was <b>corruption </b>and <b>stealing</b>, but schools were being built, industry was booming and the <b>middle class</b> was able to go a few times a year to <b>Miami </b>for holidays and shopping. The <b>white party </b>ones and the <b>green party </b>ones were basically taking turns in the big chair, and a never ending supply of black gold coming from the ground paid for all the extravagance.<br />
By the early eighties, there was a lot of money coming in, but the debt was so unbelievably large that on <b>February the 18th of 1983 </b>President Luis Herrera Campins declared a severe devaluation of the currency (Bolivar) in what is known as<b> </b><i><b>Viernes Negro</b> </i>(Black Friday, not related to the American shopping frenzy of the same name).<br />
A drastic<b> drop in oil prices</b>, the country's only important export, tied together with a now unmanageable <b>debt</b>, brought an unprecedented <b>economic crisis</b>, which meant no more dinners in the States for the middle class, and no more dinners in general for the <b>poor </b>(but again, let's not care about them for now, after all, they're quiet and don't even have the habit of voting).<br />
After years of denial, the President <b>Carlos Andrés Pérez</b> decided to introduce some very unpopular measures in <b>1989 </b>and it finally hit the fan.<br />
Named <i><b>El Caracazo</b></i>, a series of protests that lead to riots which turned into looting and then shootings, and ended up in a <b>massacre </b>(no official death toll but some say hundreds, some argue thousands), begun on <b>February 27th 1989</b> and lasted for a week. It was eventually contained but the country was shaken and the <b>stability </b>gained in the <i>Pacto de Punto Fijo</i> <b>questioned </b>for the first time.<br />
Suddenly, everyone noticed that there were lots of <b>poor people, angry</b>, ignored and fed up. And they've had children and grandchildren in the slums who were also sick of it.<br />
Guess what happened in <b>1992</b>? Oh yes, another <i><b>Coup d'etat</b></i>. But this one failed and<b> Hugo Chávez </b>(the name might ring a bell, does it?), one of the <b>organizers </b>and leaders of it, was found guilty of sedition and <b>incarcerated</b>.<br />
<br />
Now move forward to <b>1994</b>. The people were <b>disappointed</b>, getting poorer by the day and faith in the usual tennis players was gone. Then along comes this old school politician named<b> Rafael Caldera </b>(and by old school I mean the guy was born in <b>1916</b>, he actually was alive during Juan Vicente Gómez's dictatorship and World War I) and he appealed to the <b>underdog</b>, the people sick of the corrupt parties (like the one that had supported his first presidency a few decades ago, but he didn't mention that of course). He was the first President to win an election with the support of a <b>small independent party </b>and one of his most remembered decisions was to <b>set Hugo Chávez free</b>, and provide an official pardon for his conspiracy.<br />
That way, Chávez was now able to form another <b>independent </b>political party, the heir of the <b>red </b>one that once got ignored when the powerful white, green and yellow divided the treasure. Gathering <b>massive support</b> from all the resentful and until then ignored poor people and a lot of jaded middle class that truly longed for change, he won by a <b>large majority in 1998.</b><br />
If this was a fairy tale, that would have been the moment in which the princess finally touched the spinning wheel, after years of a latent curse waiting to be unleashed. Only that instead of falling asleep, the princess went completely insane.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ACT IV: THE RED RETRIBUTION</span></b><br />
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<b><br /></b>
I could get lazy here and just copy-paste a summary of <b>Animal Farm,</b> but if you've gotten this far, you deserve better (or if you skipped all the other chapters and are in for the current stuff as well).<br />
It was <b>1999 </b>and everyone was partying like it was 1999. A new <b>Constitution </b>was approved and <b>oil </b>prices were looking well.<br />
The country's <b>poor</b>, who had never had anything, suddenly had this guy s<b>peaking to them</b>, telling them that being poor was OK, and that the State would <b>help </b>them. Suddenly there were literacy campaigns and emergency health services in the heart of the slums. Trucks with fresh food would go and sell them stuff at <b>subsidized </b>prices. It was wonderful, and the<b> infinite money</b> from the oil was financing everything.<br />
Oh wait... now he's not only giving stuff for free to the poor, now he's building hospitals in other countries. Did you hear that we'll give <b>oil to Cuba </b>in exchange of <b>sugar </b>instead of money? Such a nice guy, right?<br />
Well,<b> business owners and tax payers</b> would rather the money to be invested in progress (and of course, to profit in the process, can you blame them?), not just given away. Also, he approved a bunch of leftist laws that put <b>pressure </b>in the private sector.<br />
So, in <b>2002</b>, opposition leaders organised a <b>general strike</b> with the objective to push him to change legislation or demand his resignation. There were protests, shootings and deaths. <b>PDVSA</b>, the country's company in charge of all things oil, was part of the strike.<br />
This is a company with <b>thousands of staff,</b> bringing <b>billions </b>into the country. So you can imagine Chávez's face when they were rebelling. The strike turned into an attempted <b><i>coup d'etat</i> </b>but it eventually failed.<br />
Time for <b>retaliation</b>: first <b>PDVSA's </b>directive board got fired (these were people with 30+ years experience in the oil industry), then the middle management, then normal staff. A total of about <b>18,000</b> highly skilled workers <b>lost their jobs</b>. The top seats were replaced with government sympathizers who didn't really know who to run a company. The rest, with whatever they could find.<br />
The say that the most <b>profitable business</b> is a well run <b>oil </b>company, the second best is a poorly run oil company. So money kept flowing. But for some odd reason, international companies began to <b>wonder </b>if this was a <b>stable </b>place to invest in. Private investors too, and soon, loads of people began <b>taking their cash out</b>, and in a very short time, the country experienced a massive <b>capital outflow.</b><br />
To counteract this, in <b>2003</b>, a <b>currency exchange control </b>was established. They named it <b>CADIVI</b>.<br />
Under it, it became <b>illegal </b>for a person or company to <b>exchange </b>Bolivars into Dollars or any other foreign currency without the government's <b>authorization</b>. This, they said, would stop the financial bleeding and keep the money home.<br />
So, in a country where practically the only thing produced is oil, those who got <b>permission to exchange </b>currency were the only ones able to <b>import basic goods</b>, The official exchange rate was one, but soon a black market started growing, in which the value of dollars was several times the one officially recognised.<br />
This motivated<b> thousands of people</b> to apply for currency exchange approval (the easiest process was if you applied for personal cash to travel abroad). Once the exchange was approved, many would get their dollars and <b>instead </b>of using them for what they said they would, they sold them in the <b>black market </b>(remember, not everyone got their exchange application approved, but everyone needed to exchange, so cash passed hands under the table, at a very high margin for some lucky ones).<br />
So, a savvy corrupt person could do this several times and<b> multiply their capital</b> without producing a thing. The ultimate <b>fraud</b>. And if they had the right contact, they could get away with growing <b>fortunes overnight.</b><br />
Lots of people became <b>absurdly rich </b>in a matter of months.<br />
So, instead of keeping the money in the country, this made things <b>worse</b>.<br />
But hey, it doesn't matter if the money goes down the drain, we have a <b>magical cash fountain,</b> don't we? Besides, <b>the poor</b> -a conveniently growing group that would be happy with very little and in return keep voting for the hand that feeds- were happy and didn't care about exchange rates and trips to Miami they never had anyway.<br />
And just to make sure people <b>don't protest so easily,</b> let's play blind eye to muggers and robbers. No one will hold signs when the sun goes down if they are in fear.<br />
It's 2006, <b>Chavez got re-elected </b>for a new presidential period (in fairness he still was wildly popular) and the <b>media </b>is becoming more and more annoying at denouncing the <b><i>alleged</i> rampant corruption.</b> The solution? It's time for some good old-fashioned <b>censorship </b>laws. Hence, the RESORTE law was born and with it, radios and TV stations and newspapers got harassed and fined constantly. We have to protect the children from that dreadful<b> sex and violence </b>right? In fact, let's ban war-inspired toys.<br />
What about banning guns? Nah, just toy guns, that will do. To make an example, in 2008 the biggest opposition TV channel was closed.<br />
At this point the <b>opposition moral</b> was below zero and he basically was free to continue with his socialist project. He had the time, he had all the money in the world, he had the support...<br />
But if you don't invest, eventually <b>things will start to fall apart.</b> Infrastructure was collapsing everywhere, universities funding being cut (especially in opposition friendly ones), <b>urban guerrilla</b> groups that were armed with the intention of intimidating and controlling surprisingly <b>became rogue </b>and <b>overpowered the police</b>. Add the global financial crisis to the mix and you'll enter a new decade as a complete <b>mess</b>.<br />
At this point, around 2011, <b>CADIVI</b>, the exchange control had become an abomination and while creating barriers for people that were legitimately in need to leave the country (i.e. to study or for a medical procedure), it was an incubator for mafias.<br />
The solution? To <b>print new money</b>, which as anyone with a minimum understanding of economics will know, lead to a super<b> inflation spiral.</b><br />
So now it's <b>2012</b>, time for <b>new elections</b>. Thanks to a series of tweaks in the law, <b>Chávez </b>can run for president a <b>third time</b>. It would be for the 2013-2019 period. But should he? I mean he's not looking well. <b>Some say he's very ill.</b><br />
With only rumours coming and going, and strong defamation laws that would put in a very tricky place to those pointing out that the emperor was sick, Chávez's disease became the constant <b>gossip</b>, but no one was officially sure of what was going on.<br />
Luckily for him, his close friends helped him rule the country, especially Diosdado Cabello and Nicolás Maduro, <b>loyal </b>by his side at every moment of his convalescence. <br />
Then the truth came out. It was <b>cancer</b>. A very serious one.<br />
The opposition encountered that fighting him was now even harder: the guy was giving <b>his last breath for the country</b>. His health became part of the <b>campaign, </b>basically voters were being pushed to fulfill his last wish,<b> </b>and the contender's lack of rapport with the masses only helped him. <b>He won</b> by a close call (55%) <b>and died </b>a few weeks later.<br />
Then his loyal colleague <b>Nicolás Maduro </b>was trusted with <b>conducting </b>the country. Some say it was a good match as his main previous experience had been as a <b>bus driver.</b> An election was organised<b> as soon as possible</b>, while Chávez charisma still could cover him, and<b> he won with 50,6%</b> of the votes.<br />
Overwhelming majority, he advertised.<br />
Now, like him or not, Chávez had been able to <b>keep the show running</b> mixing charisma, intimidation and giving the right present to the right person at the right time. But it takes skill to be a democratically elected autocrat and <b>Maduro </b>was miles away from his predecessor.<br />
It was <b>2013</b> and in a matter of months,<b> the oil prices went to the dogs.</b> That meant that the overly generous <b>budget </b>which was created on the principle of record-high oil prices now would have to be <b>readjusted </b>to a tenth or so.<br />
How can you explain to the poor that their free fridges, laptops and more were now a thing of the past? How can you continue <b>importing food</b> when there are no more dollars left and no country would give you credit because everyone knows<b> you can't pay?</b> How can you put <b>medicine </b>in the hospitals if the little income you're making is reserved to keep the mafias that hold you into power happy?<br />
<b>Shortages </b>that some like to compare to those in <b>Soviet Russia</b> became usual. Plane tickets a <b>luxury </b>so big that most people got <b>trapped </b>in the country, priced out of travelling. The rampant crime made escaping through the border a suicidal fantasy. And those that had a few savings bought the last plane tickets and left.<br />
As if that wasn't enough, <b>drought and lack of investment</b> lead to the hydroelectric plants to under perform, and the solution to it was to order everyone to use <b>less electricity</b>. Water services are also suffering and it is not uncommon that residential areas have water supply cuts that lasts days, sometimes <b>weeks</b>.<br />
As for the lack of food? <b>Rationing</b>.<br />
Lack of medicine? <b>Survival </b>of the healthy, heartbreakingly.<br />
And as everything <b>collapses</b>, the police is nowhere to be seen, so more and more people resort to <b>crime</b>, after all, there's no consequence.<br />
But wait, your everyday folks<b> get sick of it too,</b> and decided that, if there is no justice, they'll take things in their<b> own hands</b>, so public <b>lynching </b>becomes more and more common. There have been reports of people stabbed and burned alive in plain daylight, on busy side-walks, even innocent people have accidentally received this treatment.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">ACT V: IS THERE ANY HOPE?</span></b><br />
Some people argue that a recently elected opposition-led parliament will bring some balance and at least <b>contain the chaos</b> and slowly help <b>stabilise </b>things. Some say that parliament is not enough, and in fact many will be quickly bought off. We'll have to wait and see.<br />
Anyhow, as kids born in 1998 are now of voting age and have<b> never known a country without Chávez </b>or his "legacy", lots of them <b>brainwashed </b>since kinder-garden, many of their parents brainwashed since high school, it will be extremely <b>unlikely </b>that the knot will untie any time soon.<br />
Many people have<b> lost their will</b> to produce, and even to <b>work </b>at all, as salaries are so <b>miserable </b>that, counted in the black market rate -still existent and going strong- puts almost everyone below the <b>extreme poverty line</b> (less than 1$ a day). However, if you ask for an official figure, they'll say it's the country with the<b> highest salaries in South America</b> (just don't mind the fact that everything is imported in dollars but people get paid in Bolivars).<br />
But yes, <b>there is always hope.</b> Japan stood back up after two nuclear bombs, Ireland recovered after a devastating famine, many European countries rebuilt after two World Wars.<br />
This is a mess we got ourselves into, and only ourselves will be able to solve it. If anything becomes clear to me after attempting to summarize my country's history is that:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Every time you try to rule excluding or ignoring a part of the population, they eventually show up and bite you.</li>
<li>Every time you take power by force, it ends up being taken from you the same way.</li>
<li>You can't rely in only one product with no added value and a price that changes without your control.</li>
<li>Glorifying autocrats is a bad habit that we drag from colonial times and only when we stop doing that, we might get a chance at a proper democrat.</li>
<li>Venezuelans have impressive patience, and are able to adapt to everything, which is not necessarily something that favours us.</li>
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Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-65963244971318411612016-01-31T10:54:00.002+00:002016-01-31T10:54:41.802+00:00The little things that start to happen after two years of life in Ireland <div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, two years ago, Andy and I arrived to Ireland to start again. Making the desicion was actually easy since we both have been here before and loved it. But of course, making a place for yourself when you know no body and you feel overwhelmed with all the paperwork and things you need to do is not.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOahDQTaACAR2k5LTo_YOMKxrZkaSQFYs3do4arWQRXveW8WXmr5PYrSA-yAYsNgK2i1pDqESPyxzQXe8Q0pjGYsaiHgO0HNv2Ap-HLxLO4O5F6qTmvUXlxRsJbahMMINQ9znQItbeGIM/s1600/Phoenix+Park+13+Abril+2014+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOahDQTaACAR2k5LTo_YOMKxrZkaSQFYs3do4arWQRXveW8WXmr5PYrSA-yAYsNgK2i1pDqESPyxzQXe8Q0pjGYsaiHgO0HNv2Ap-HLxLO4O5F6qTmvUXlxRsJbahMMINQ9znQItbeGIM/s320/Phoenix+Park+13+Abril+2014+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the first places we went to, of course, Phoenix Park</td></tr>
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I went to watch <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2381111/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt">Brooklyn</a> </b>a couple of weeks ago and it is spot on on many things, which Eilis, the main characters sums up in one brilliant speech (beware it's a light spoiler):</div>
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"You'll feel so homesick that you'll want to die, and there's nothing you can do about it apart from endure it. But you will, and it won't kill you. And one day, the sun will come out you might not even notice straight away-it'll be that faint. And then you'll catch yourself thinking about something or someone who has no connection with the past. Someone who's only yours.And you'll realize that this is where your life is".</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely movie I'd recommend to anyone</td></tr>
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Maybe I'm talking about a movie to avoid getting too personal, but the fact is that after two years, there are little things that start to change, and it feels lovely. They might seem silly (yes, I made a list), but they make life so much better.</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When someone gives you an address, you now know in which area it is.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When you enter your corner shop, the staff recognizes you and maybe even make small chat.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When you listen to the radio, and a they play a song from a local artist, you recognize it and hum along,</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When you walk home and bump into a neighbour, you make quick eye contact, say hi and go on.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When someone uses slang, you know what they mean.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">You use slang sometimes (my favorites include "give out", "what's the story" and "deadly").</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When you want to go out for food, you know a nice place.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When something breaks in the house, you know where to get it fixed.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">You occasionally bump into a person you know in the street or the supermarket.</li>
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And one of my favourites: when a tourist approaches you and asks you where is something, you are able to help them because you know :D</div>
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Sometimes I still get lost and have no idea where the place I'm supposed to be is, or something is a big deal in the news and I've no idea why, or there is a celebrity nearby and everyone looses it but me. And while that makes Radiohead's "Creep" play softly in my mind as I walk with too many layers of chlothing for such a lovely, sunny, one-digit-temperature day, I suppose it's OK, and I believe it's part of the process.</div>
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Finally, I <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/01/one-year-in-ireland-and-finally-i-found.html">made a similar post one year ago</a></b>, where I wrote my thoughts after the first 12 months. </div>
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I hope to revisit this in a year, and for now, I'll keep learning, working and trying my best :p</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-9415798636353013532016-01-24T12:15:00.002+00:002016-01-24T12:22:01.124+00:00So, is Leonardo Di Caprio winning his Oscar for The Revenant? Here are some facts and my opinion<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now we are in those 5 or 6 weeks between the <b>Oscar </b>nominees are announced and the award ceremony. A time that not many people care about but that I'm really into. And this year, the buzz about the big day seems to be divided between the <b>lack of diversity </b>and <b>Will Smith's</b> boycott to the golden prize, and <b>Leonardo di Caprio's Best Actor Nomination. </b>And if you're in Ireland, Saoirse's Ronan Best Actress nomination for Brooklyn (along <b><a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/irish-talent-front-and-centre-in-the-2016-oscar-nominations-1.2496759">other Irish artists</a></b> that are running for a statue of their own).</div>
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Now, this is not the first time <b>Leo </b>gets a nod: 2005 - The Aviator, 2007 - Blood Diamond (plus 2014 - Wolf of Wall Street <i>production</i>, and 1993 - What's Eating Gilbert Grape <i>Best Suporting Actor</i>); but since the last time he got it, he has become some sort of Internet meme, and as some would say, his win would "break the Internet".</div>
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I saw <b>The Revenant</b>, film for which he is nominated, and it's ringing many Oscar bells:</div>
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✔ Based in a true story, which apparently is <b><a href="http://qz.com/600997/the-true-story-behind-the-revenant-is-even-crazier-than-the-movie/">crazier than the movie</a></b>.</div>
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✔ A 156 minutes drama.</div>
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✔ Set somewhen in the recent past, during the last 200 years of American history, telling very stylishly portrayed all-American stories, just like previous winners Argo, 12 Years a Slave, The Artist, The Hurt Locker, No Country for Old Men... should I continue?.</div>
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<b>However</b>, there are also some signs that he might go home literally empty-handed:</div>
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✔ Directed by <b>Alejandro G. Iñárritu</b>, who made <i>Birdman</i>, the film that got him awards for Best Movie & Best Director last year, and managed to give <b>Michael Keaton</b> a nomination in Leo's same category, which at the end, he didn't win (despite giving an amazing performance) thank's to <b>Eddie Redmayne</b> (who played Stephen Hawking on The Theory of Everything). Which takes me to...</div>
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✔ Eddie Radmayne is nominated again, for his role as Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl...<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">✔ And this movie combines two <b>Oscar </b>magnets: <b>Eddie Radmayne</b> and a serious and dramatic context for a man to put on a dress on the big screen. Sounds weird? Let's remember that<b> Jared Leto</b> -until then known for being the lead singer of <b>30 Seconds to Mars</b>, with some low profile acting roles- won an Oscar (Best Supporting Actor) for playing Rayon, a fictional trans woman.</span></div>
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✔ Besides that, <b>The Revenant </b>could fit in the category of <b>Isolation Survival Drama </b><i>[<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">a movie that manages to upset agoraphobic and claustrophobic people at the same time: one person, alone in the immensity of the ocean/space/desert but at the same time, confined to a little space risking death if they make the wrong move]</span></i><b>,</b> one that <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/02/my-7-favorite-types-of-oscar-best.html">I talekd about in a post last year</a>. </b>This includes movies such as Gravity, Life of Pi and 127 Hours, which always get some nominations, but rarely nail the big performances.</div>
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But enough of discussing the movie itself... <b>What about Leo's performance? </b><br />
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I'd say it was <b>great</b>, and <b>deserving </b>of recognition, but the emotional range of it was too dominated by <b>pain, sadness and anger</b>, which makes sense because of the story, but doesn't really allow a very wide range of emotions. </div>
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And speaking about displaying emotion in a <b>Isolation Survival Drama</b>, if we compare Leo's Hugh Glass in <b>The Revenant </b>to Matt Damon's Mark Watney in <b>The Martian </b>(also a Best Actor and Best Movie contender), you'll see what I'm talking about.</div>
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In <b>The Martian</b>, Mark is also hurt, hungry, isolated (in freaking Mars) and his team asumes he's dead and leaves him to die (showing much more remorse about it, but still). Yet, this guy shows frustration, but also a bit of madness, happiness about the little things, surprise and hope. In fact, I'd say Matt's flaw is the opposite to Leo's, his character seemed sometimes masochistically thrilled to be there and perhaps it was missing a bit of darkness.</div>
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And I have to say it, there is something about this character that feels worn out, almost like a remix of many other of his roles...</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">✔ A man from a vintage era...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5BxkOzvDTK7QXOWDMMubaoMApS42TxjVgZpCvWDQ1fIGTfrjEiVZ6UowUWmcy2ML1TdIEPpyjBgpvq_Y0QCtuXxblj3svexAoRNJL0rObpPl60H8gWFmBrpUAnfMWmiakp8QaITDLcU/s1600/Leonardo+Di+Caprio+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5BxkOzvDTK7QXOWDMMubaoMApS42TxjVgZpCvWDQ1fIGTfrjEiVZ6UowUWmcy2ML1TdIEPpyjBgpvq_Y0QCtuXxblj3svexAoRNJL0rObpPl60H8gWFmBrpUAnfMWmiakp8QaITDLcU/s640/Leonardo+Di+Caprio+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">✔ That seems to be in control...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywa88lIZZMY7hzcKMbztm3ILDnMEhsKKQwSd19FQ_VZGy0RLOSoTQOQCIMTPZso4Tq9-WaTAUfznWfiL_M6oMlsKD9AQlWjncSNF64jLl40id56GiJ0cS5-Gjr05cDyh-5PBYeN_aw-E/s1600/Leonardo+Di+Caprio+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywa88lIZZMY7hzcKMbztm3ILDnMEhsKKQwSd19FQ_VZGy0RLOSoTQOQCIMTPZso4Tq9-WaTAUfznWfiL_M6oMlsKD9AQlWjncSNF64jLl40id56GiJ0cS5-Gjr05cDyh-5PBYeN_aw-E/s640/Leonardo+Di+Caprio+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">✔ Until something goes wrong...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWd4t9jGcuP-A8kYLOJI82PllGxc5YULR5mOfuRZyyenWxrk5X42PEldxlJbpJPVEpIeVn8d_0vQAWUJGqyXdWMR9Opn65Lfi903P-LjwfTjVekpBRzHs609CAFQEbt9uAgDRU-WwkCk/s1600/Leonardo+Di+Caprio+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWd4t9jGcuP-A8kYLOJI82PllGxc5YULR5mOfuRZyyenWxrk5X42PEldxlJbpJPVEpIeVn8d_0vQAWUJGqyXdWMR9Opn65Lfi903P-LjwfTjVekpBRzHs609CAFQEbt9uAgDRU-WwkCk/s640/Leonardo+Di+Caprio+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">✔ And then he suffers...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMWaqAJ_ARkAPrAzPRVoMq8YKqbUhwK-n8BnUo3iOte_D9DzWNygQVRSkx23UXFJcB9yj2iQXp7AZaNjxUlFwkJ3y-FeLVfG5g5vtUUdhT94wt5NhMhM2qQukdtpUVY1RaJks67O72pc/s1600/Leonardo+Di+Caprio+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMWaqAJ_ARkAPrAzPRVoMq8YKqbUhwK-n8BnUo3iOte_D9DzWNygQVRSkx23UXFJcB9yj2iQXp7AZaNjxUlFwkJ3y-FeLVfG5g5vtUUdhT94wt5NhMhM2qQukdtpUVY1RaJks67O72pc/s640/Leonardo+Di+Caprio+%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And yes, not all his movies follow this exactly, and he doesn't die or goes mad in all of them. I won't tell you the ending of <b>The Revenant</b>, but it's not a spoiler to say that he goes through a lot after the <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoebZZ8K5N0">bear from the trailer</a></b> unstiches him like an old doll.</div>
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So, is he winning an Oscar this year? I really think he will, but I wouldn't bet much money on it either.</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-43547813283694718702016-01-17T11:04:00.000+00:002016-01-17T11:04:54.685+00:00Those weird times when international media makes comedy out of Venezuela/ns (not including the joke-like-but-actually-real news)<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I was having my morning coffee and checking my Facebook on this Sunday morning, I saw a friend sharing a post which translates to "Song <i>I Venesuela</i> is the hit of the season in Lithuania". The image of three men with cliche South American <i>dictador</i> outfits made it for me, and I needed to watch.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://efecto-cocuyo.arawatomediaca.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/unnamed-800x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://efecto-cocuyo.arawatomediaca.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/unnamed-800x600.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So this is how Lithuanian pop bands dress when they try to depict Venezuelans. Via <a href="http://efectococuyo.com/efecto-cocuyo/cancion-i-venesuela-es-el-hit-del-momento-en-lituania">http://efectococuyo.com</a></td></tr>
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In case you feel like watching it, here's the full video with English subtitles:<br />
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And as I finished watching, I thought about a few other occasions in which Venezuela (and Venezuelans) has been made fun of by international comedy. And I don't mean when something so awful that is funny (when it's not happening to you) appears in the news (like that time everyone was teasing Venezuelans about the <b><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/venezuela-toilet-paper-shortage/">infamous toilet paper shortage</a></b>), or when our country is used as an alternative setting to North Korea or some African desert for an action movie or video game where a violent and chaotic background is needed, </div>
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I mean when things like that time when <b>Justin Timberlake</b> dressed as <b>Elton John</b> and dedicated a spoof of <b>Lady Di'</b>s inspired song <b>"Candle in the Wind"</b> to the then recently deseaced <b>Hugo Chavez</b>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqf-E097GSYyg5CYdNPZVtO17RJ56UjWQau458Ji-FJ8VEALf32OFxj2F0MywNGCy_xALYc_jBtSrNr28T_LUczHKki9LaoERIJkEH-dSVCATjiUlVp7rtWLuLd0-7gAsyGNCtrDk1unI/s1600/Venezuela+Parodies+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqf-E097GSYyg5CYdNPZVtO17RJ56UjWQau458Ji-FJ8VEALf32OFxj2F0MywNGCy_xALYc_jBtSrNr28T_LUczHKki9LaoERIJkEH-dSVCATjiUlVp7rtWLuLd0-7gAsyGNCtrDk1unI/s640/Venezuela+Parodies+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a>This was for the opening speech of <b>Saturday Night Life</b>. For the record, when he says "everything in this song it's true", he's serious...</div>
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Speaking of <b>Saturday Night Live</b>, the show has a not-so-known semi-recurring <b>Venezuelan </b>character called <b><a href="http://snl.wikia.com/wiki/Fericito">Fericito</a></b>, a Venezuelan comedian played by <b>Fred Armisen</b> (whose mother is Venezuelan so he knows what he's talking about). </div>
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See the video where the guy was introduced to the show for the first time (sometime in the late nineties):</div>
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<b>Fericito </b>was a nightclub comedian and he<b> </b>had all the cliches of <b>Venezuelan </b>cheap <i>Radio-Rochela-Style </i>comedy, mixed with a <i>Miamiesque-Variety-Show </i>tackiness. The "catch line", the percussions, the stupid eyes and so on. The character was so succesful that for a while he had his own sketch called <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ubUrELVYZ0">Showbiz Grande Explosion!</a></b> (yes, with an exclamation mark, he's tacky like that).</div>
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But this isn't <b>Fred Armisen's</b> only time wearing the yellow-blue-and-red. He nailed the borderline <i>dictador</i> role with the infamous <b>Parks and Recreation</b> episode called <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_City_(Parks_and_Recreation)">Sister City</a> </b>(fifht of season two), where he plays <i>Raul Alejandro Bastilla Pedro de Veloso de Morana</i> (my guess this was to make fun of our tendency to have two long names followed by two long surnames, and use them all), the leader of a Venezuelan delegation sent to the town of Pawnee, because their city, Boraqua, is a Sister city to Leslie's midwest small town.</div>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/Parks_and_recreation_sister_city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/Parks_and_recreation_sister_city.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The American delegation is expecting a group of third world modest, poor, simpletons, but when they get a trio of cocky, authoritarian, loud, pen-stealer, big spender, romantic crazed, Miami loving, vain military representatives, hilarity ensues...</div>
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By the way, Fred gets an A+ for his Veneuzelan accent.<br />
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On a more local note, there was a <b><a href="http://fusion.net/story/173478/cellphone-company-mocks-venezuelas-president-in-racy-ad-campaign/">Chilean commercial that went viral in Venezuela</a></b> a few months ago because it made fun of Venezuelan president's comments about how a little bird spoke to him.</div>
Watch and cry baby:<br />
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If you speak Spanish, you'll see that the accent is closer to a Cuban accent than to a natural Venezuelan one. I can assure you it wasn't an accident.<br />
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In a lighter and less political note, I'm gonna list a video called <i>Signs you're Venezuelan</i> by Venezuelan-American comedian Joanna Haufmann:<br />
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And then there is this video in <i>College Humor</i> of 2012's Miss Venezuela making an A-for-effort attempt to answer a final round question in Miss Universe in English. Is she nervous? Is she lost in translation? Is she crazy? we'll never know.<br />
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Do I find this stuff offensive? Not really... Actually I find it surprising when a foreign show or comedian makes fun of Venezuela, I'd say is a similar feeling to the one you get when you see your name on a can of Coke.</div>
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Do you find this offensive? Please, learn to take a joke.</div>
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If I ever find more examples, I'll update (if you have any and would like to share them, great!). And speaking about offensive jokes, just for the record, the only truly offensive ones are the ones made with hurtful intentions, even if they're the lightest and more family-friendly of them all.</div>
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So no, we're not all egocentric, salsa-dancing, guys with a thing for holding machine guns, but to be fair... imagine that a Venezuelan pop band decides to make a music video about Lithuania. Do you think it would be accurate, researched and free of cliches? Yeah right.</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-23398809695761253302016-01-03T21:16:00.000+00:002016-01-03T21:21:44.553+00:00Some quick thoughts on the evolution of "The Force" through the three Star Wars "eras"<div style="text-align: justify;">
I already mentioned that <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/12/5-things-that-3-of-my-favourite-movies.html">The Force Awakens is</a></b> one of the movies I liked the most last year. It's not odd that I've kept thinking about it, and one thing that has been in my mind is how differently <b>The Force</b> is presented in this one, compared to last decade's and last century's (and now that I put it like that, it seems like this is an ages long story... three generations and counting... wow).</div>
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<a href="http://www.hmmrmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/use_the_force.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.hmmrmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/use_the_force.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the first "era" of <b>Star Wars</b> (1977 to 1983), <b>The Force</b> is treated like this mystical energy field that connected all the living things in the galaxy. </div>
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VERY new-agey. But perfect for a time when hippies were still roaming the Earth in large packs, and vague enough for anyone to make it their own and intepret it as they felt like it. Probably part of the reason that the concept became so loved and succesful.</div>
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Quoting Yoda (a very new-agey guy himself) from <b>The Empire Strikes Back</b> (Episode V): "For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us." </div>
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In the second "era" of<b> Star Wars</b> (1999 to 2005), we saw all this metaphysical allure dissapear behind a "scientific" explanation. Now <b>The Force</b> wasn't just energy surrounding us and keeping the Galaxy alive, it was caused by these microscopic lifeforms living in the cells of creatures: the midi-chlorians.</div>
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Besides sounding like something you'll forget right after the 8th grade biology test, they were a fairly dissapointing attempt at shedding light where there was no darkness (as we say in Venezuela, "no aclares que oscurece", which means "don't explain 'cause you're making it all more confusing").</div>
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But let's give them some credit, it was the turn of the millenium and an explanation closer to hard science semmed like a better idea than something that was basically "because of magic".</div>
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And then we enter the third <b>Star Wars Era</b> (2015 and expected to be until 2019). So far, the best explanation of <b>The Force</b> in this new pack of films<i> *now worries, no spoilers, as it's on the trailer* </i>it's when <b>Han Solo</b> simply says "It's true... all of it". Now the Jedi, the Sith and The Force simply are, no explanation provided, they now happen to exist just as <b>magic and fairies</b> in any other <b>Disney </b>film.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicCOxBpmEZtWIEA75OtuFNgo0Pa5QFfd91oTwbHnmFzaO_vAwLD9dfiMaKvSzM7_tmPNvoQgh_bV8N_iw90S1YH392jN4YLVAYbSM-5G9PuonYE4pZ4OpBrH8dTdKL1hjHhl6h8bopV4/s1600/The+Force.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicCOxBpmEZtWIEA75OtuFNgo0Pa5QFfd91oTwbHnmFzaO_vAwLD9dfiMaKvSzM7_tmPNvoQgh_bV8N_iw90S1YH392jN4YLVAYbSM-5G9PuonYE4pZ4OpBrH8dTdKL1hjHhl6h8bopV4/s640/The+Force.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, which explanation do you prefer for <b>The Force</b>: the mystical <b>energy </b>field, the <b>midi-chlorians</b> or <b>none</b>?</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-4590542865663606342015-12-28T14:50:00.000+00:002015-12-28T15:01:14.393+00:005 things that 3 of my favourite movies in 2015 (The Force Awakens, Mockingjay and Mad Max Fury Road) had in common<div style="text-align: justify;">
This has been a great year for <b>movies</b>. And it's not over yet (can't wait for <b>The Revenant</b>, <b>The Hateful Eight</b> and <b>The Peanuts Movie</b>).</div>
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And as I was thinking about some of the movies I've enjoyed the most so far, I started to notice some things they have in common, so here it goes...</div>
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As usual, there will be spoilers, so if you haven't watched <b>The Force Awakens</b>, <b>Mockingjay Part 2</b> or <b>Mad Max Fury Road</b>, you can stop reading.</div>
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<b>5. They're all sequels to very long series: </b>This is neither good nor bad, but they are all part of something bigger than a trilogy. However, the only one that feels like clousure is <b>Mockingjay Part 2</b>, as <b>Fury Road</b> is more of a reboot, and <b>The Force Awakens</b> sets the tone for the last three (that we know of) of a trilogy of trilogies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1pk8KC-OSquHmcXc2IouqJU_dN76YJk2sX22yVCZjUhIGmJyt5WSVtVBglYVJhUfG-f5gKyWSBwZS0v8w2qQPM1PjGLY9q29GaIEgE7dL1YE4C1tNazX5NjrwaJXyq-JoVJvugqBW18/s1600/Favourite+Movies+2015+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1pk8KC-OSquHmcXc2IouqJU_dN76YJk2sX22yVCZjUhIGmJyt5WSVtVBglYVJhUfG-f5gKyWSBwZS0v8w2qQPM1PjGLY9q29GaIEgE7dL1YE4C1tNazX5NjrwaJXyq-JoVJvugqBW18/s640/Favourite+Movies+2015+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>4. The main team has to infiltrate the bad guy's fort:</b> Whether they needed to get to President Snow's mansion, Inmortan Joe's Power Cave (or wathever the place from which he ruled the wasteland was called... which I just checked and it's called The Citadel) or The First Order's Death Star on steroids; in all cases, the main plot involved the need to get to the villain's domain, overcoming a series of death threatening obstacles.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Knock Knock / Who's there? / The heros, hahahaha YOU LOOSE</b></span></td></tr>
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<b>3. A brainwashed young man has a change of heart: </b>As anyone who drinks a black sugary carbonated mix of chemicals and enojys it will know, brainwashing is powerful. But these movies do a great job reminding us that there is something more powerful than that.</div>
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In all three films we have a young man (Finn from The Force Awakens, Peeta from Mockingjay Part 2, and Nux from Fury Road) whose mind has been messed up by the bad guys, but somehow their true conscience manages to break through and they become a key person in the day-saving activities of the hero's crew. Whether they were raised and trained like Finn and Nux, or went through a Clockwork Orange-style session of <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludovico_technique">Ludovico Technique</a> </b>(known in The Capitol as Hijacking), these guys are psychological time bombs waiting to meet the right girl to swap sides.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSzEkY-ek33Sj7xvLlUCelLd6qXewT6bHbMNPKt7l2m4uC7qYguWU6CushE7FypA2KewbfZFpO-peW0Dok-J8x8t4dPcLfJxhC5wfUwD1G74Zd0F3yHGSPJ8osIY55XtPWHjAUxQD91E/s1600/Favourite+Movies+2015+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSzEkY-ek33Sj7xvLlUCelLd6qXewT6bHbMNPKt7l2m4uC7qYguWU6CushE7FypA2KewbfZFpO-peW0Dok-J8x8t4dPcLfJxhC5wfUwD1G74Zd0F3yHGSPJ8osIY55XtPWHjAUxQD91E/s640/Favourite+Movies+2015+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>His beaten mind says KILL but his eyes say WHAT I'M I DOING?</b></span></td></tr>
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<b>2. An evil dictatorship Vs. heavily armed rebels: </b>These movies won't end with a surrender and the <i>ressistance </i>knows it and it's ready to fight big fire with sneaky fire. On one side, we have armies of face-covered men defending a tyranical system (The First Order's army, The Capitol's "Peacekeepers", The Citadel's War Boys) enforced by an evil dictator-like ruler with absolute power (Supreme Leader Snoke in The Force Awakens, President Snow in Mockingjay Part 2, and Immortan Joe in Fury Road). On the other side, we have a diverse group of dissidents willing to sacrify themselves for a cause they feel very strongly about.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>You can bet this won't end with a peaceful protest and a referendum</b></span></td></tr>
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<b>1. An action woman as a lead character: </b>True, these are movies with more than just one protagonist, but <b>Rey </b>(The Force Awakens), <b>Katniss </b>(Mockingjay Part 2) and <b>Furiosa </b>(Fury Road) certainly make the plot advance in their respective universes. They are strong, have an objective beyond "finding love" and, unlike the <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/07/the-marvel-designated-woman-or-why.html">Marvel Designated Women</a></b>, their personalities are way more than a pair of boobs that know karate. </div>
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When it's time to put a lightsaber/arrow/bullet in the big bad's heart, they are more than able and willing to do so. And yes, they're young, white and attractive (armless Charlize Theron is still Charlize Theron), but they are not all about <i>looking pretty</i> or using their looks to seduce their way into their goals. And besides that, there were also strong female characters of all ages and shapes, which is not something you see often: you had beloved <b>Princess Leia</b> as the main example in <b>The Force Awakens</b>, hated <b>President Coin</b> in <b>Mockingjay Part 2</b> and the brave <b>Vuvalini of Many Mothers </b>in <b>Fury Road</b>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Let's do this!</b></span></td></tr>
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Three very different movies that are not so different after all when you try to see the big picture.</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-64812223879199313232015-12-14T12:50:00.002+00:002015-12-14T13:16:06.664+00:0010 Times in which Irish Christmas and Venezuelan Christmas were alike<div style="text-align: justify;">
They say that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I bet we could check any time in history and people will think that the taxes are unfair, the next generation is useless and lazy, and the end of the year <b>should be celebrated.</b></div>
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But since I can't do<b> time travel</b>, I'll focus now on <b>space</b>. As I'm celebrating my second <b>Christmas</b> in <b>Ireland</b>, I can't help to compare it to the <b>Venezuelan</b> way. And even though we're seven thousand kilometres appart, I feel the <b>similarities</b> are very strong.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowNM98_lVjcfrbB_7le7xJCQ4ANXrNeWg_dZc3lFYt5f-Z1_37XTxCPDYurfreKEBkr2kWDy5FDn4WlZhqF5_6rPXgn_XBUPXzUhi7tCdYBIomJYm91rSazDGGGyCAogKNE8ZyFgFSIY/s1600/Distance+Dublin+Caracas.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowNM98_lVjcfrbB_7le7xJCQ4ANXrNeWg_dZc3lFYt5f-Z1_37XTxCPDYurfreKEBkr2kWDy5FDn4WlZhqF5_6rPXgn_XBUPXzUhi7tCdYBIomJYm91rSazDGGGyCAogKNE8ZyFgFSIY/s640/Distance+Dublin+Caracas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, allow me to list the 10 things we do oddly alike in <b>Christmas</b>...</div>
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<b>10. We're both very early birds:</b> Both in Ireland and in Venezuela, it's beggining to look a lot like Christmas very prematurely in the year. Back in Caracas, you could mark the unofficial start of the season in mid-September when the schools go back to class and they start preparing for the <i>gaitas,</i> an inter-school Christmas music competition which is serious business (think a South American Christmasy version of Pitch Perfect or Glee).</div>
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And while Ireland's high-end department store <b>Brown Thomas</b> <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/consumer/brown-thomas-prepares-for-christmas-with-127-days-to-go-1.2320231"><b>launched their Christmas section at the end of August</b></a> this year (causing a big media buzz and exposure), Venezuela's Beco was not so far behind, traditionally bringing the green, red and golden stuff at least three months before it's needed.<br />
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<b>9. We're obsessed with snow (although we don't really see much of it): </b>Nothing says tropical Christmas cheers like fake plastic snow on fake plastic trees. Surprisingly, we do get a tiny bit of snow in the top of Venezuela's highest mountain (Pico Bolivar) every now and then, which makes everyone in the country go mental and try to go on a hike to take a <i>snow selfie. </i><br />
Snow in Ireland is a less abnormal occurence, but it's still odd, and everyone looses it when the weather forecast predicts it (although 90% of the time it's just slushy rain that is melt by the time it hits the ground).<br />
FYI, if you see an adult doing snow angels, throwing snowballs and building a snowman while everyone is walking normally, it's probably a Venezuelan seeing snow for the first time, and doing all the things he has watched in cartoons' Christmas specials.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.playbuzz.com/cdn/f26c714c-9207-4743-8b9a-c5f4ad2855f6/0f6c4f29-2bf0-4cbe-8cfb-020efcb5d013.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.playbuzz.com/cdn/f26c714c-9207-4743-8b9a-c5f4ad2855f6/0f6c4f29-2bf0-4cbe-8cfb-020efcb5d013.gif" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me or any Venezuelan, watching snow for the first time as an adult (</span>Via <a href="http://www.playbuzz.com/tarasc10/how-well-do-you-know-the-lyrics-to-the-nightmare-before-christmas-whats-this">http://www.playbuzz.com</a>)</td></tr>
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<b>8. Christmas markets are a big deal: </b>You'll find them in shopping centres, in parks, in squares... Lots of people go for handmade gifts and these are the places to get them.<br />
Expect artisan jewlery, knitted stuff, chutneys and Chritmas cakes.<br />
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<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/giffffr-ik8lXlxH2H7IZez41a">via GIPHY</a></div>
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<b>7. We drink something better than eggnog: </b>Whether you are team <b>Ponche Crema</b> or team <b>Baileys</b>, you know that there are better creamy drinks than the egg flavoured beige thing that comes out of a milk carton. Both beverages are available all year round, but both are Christmas favourites, and even though they're brands, many people do their own homemade versions, which are actually really good.<br />
While they have similar textures and serving sugestions, Ponche Crema's flavour is closer to condensed milk, and Baileys' is more on the nutty side.<br />
You know what, now I need to find out what happens if I mix them... cheers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LXEV1i-ljugEgiRCb5udZE7T_wq-h5e1bw7nwfFG8oqjNQLzZwX-Zv-tJnGpjt04VoW3B1gTkOdwi7dV07PKsGvvPrbjlXLVnjgWAmKuPgr2nIF08grecJI_xEX1pzDGYmgi7dAmsXY/s1600/ponche+crema+baileys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LXEV1i-ljugEgiRCb5udZE7T_wq-h5e1bw7nwfFG8oqjNQLzZwX-Zv-tJnGpjt04VoW3B1gTkOdwi7dV07PKsGvvPrbjlXLVnjgWAmKuPgr2nIF08grecJI_xEX1pzDGYmgi7dAmsXY/s640/ponche+crema+baileys.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">* Similarly marketed during Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* Ponche Crema's alcohol is 14% and Baileys is 17%</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* They're popular with coffee and ice</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* They're very creamy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* They're better than eggnog</span></td></tr>
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<b>6. We love Christmas commercials that make you cry: </b>If it's emotionally manipulative enough to make moms cry, it will be a success. The saddest the story a commercial tells, the more chances it will go viral. Lonely old men, little children, pets... the cuter and more vulnerable, the better.<br />
For example, Ireland was loosing its mind over the heart breaking John Lewis Christmas advert you'll find below:<br />
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And Venezuelans loose it every year since 1987 to the Plumrose add (or some variation of it), in which a little girl wants to buy honey glazed ham but it's out of stock, and the store manager stops the presses to make sure she gets a ham.<br />
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<b>5. We prepare an extremely laborious yet delicious dinner: </b>For Venezuelans, the dinner table consists in hallacas (big beef and pork tamales), pan de jamon (ham stuffed bread), pernil (slow cooked pork leg) and hen salad (oddly similar to coronation chicken) [by the way, now you get why the girl in the add was so upset about not having a ham for Christmas, we put it on everything].<br />
For the Irish, Turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoes, Brussel sprouts and vegetables make the menu.<br />
Not the best time to be a vegetarian...<br />
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And in both countries, the Christmas cake has to be there, even if no one truly likes it. It's tradition.</div>
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<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/kateTEST-food-gif-beauty-and-the-beast-belle-eAH6GS73H0Qxy">via GIPHY</a></div>
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<b>4. Christmas crackers Vs. Cebollitas:</b> There is something about tiny and controlled explosions that just seems to bring smiles to peoples faces here and there. In Ireland you'll have the <b>Christmas cracker</b>, wich looks like a giant candy and is filled with little toys or sweets and cute messages, and which makes a "pop" when you open it. It works thanks to the effect of friction on a shock-sensitive, chemically-impregnated card strip (thanks <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cracker">Wikipedia</a></b>).<br />
In Venezuela, you'll have the <b>cebollitas </b>(among many other small and safe-<i>ish</i> fireworks). The name translates like <i><b>little onions</b></i> and it's because of their shape. They also make a small "bang" but you have to throw them to the ground or step on them. They work thanks to a very tiny amount of silver fulminate high explosive mixed with gravel and sand, tightly wrapped together, causing friction when thrown.<br />
Now that I think about it, both countries have a few traditions that involve <b>cheerfuly burning stuff up in public</b>, but that's another story.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Let it pop, let it pop, let it pop ♪ ♫</i></span></td></tr>
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<b>3. Last minute shopping: </b>Despite the fact that Christmas arrives early to the shops in both countries, both Irish and Venezuelans can be seen running around city centre on Christmas Eve to get that last present or the outfit for the party they'll attend in two hours.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="330" src="//giphy.com/embed/zifR8a4mhpJEk" width="480"></iframe></div>
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<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/90s-tv-hey-arnold-zifR8a4mhpJEk">via GIPHY</a></div>
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<b>2. Lots of Skyping with scattered family members: </b>In countries where immigration is common, you'll always have a cousin in Australia, a sister in Spain or a childhood friend in the States. And Christmas will be a time to get in touch with them, ask them what time is it there, and, if the budget allows it, send them a little something from home (usually food).<br />
And if you are a Venezuelan or an Irish abroad at Christmas time, you'll probably try to do a mashup of the local traditions and the ones you grew up with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.twinkl.co.uk/image/resource_preview_xlarge/AU-T-154-Christmas-Display-Banner-Irish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.twinkl.co.uk/image/resource_preview_xlarge/AU-T-154-Christmas-Display-Banner-Irish.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/au-t-154-australia-christmas-display-banner-irish">http://www.twinkl.co.uk</a></td></tr>
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<b>1. We are just filled with Christmas spirit: </b>You'll get the odd <i>Grinch</i> here and there, but in general, most people are VERY Christmasy. Both Venezuelans and Irish sing along to Christmas songs in a non-ironic way (and many even dance to them), it is normal to see adults wearing Christmas themed stuff (no one beats the Irish and their Christmas jumpers, though), we look forward to the office Christmas party which is actually fun, we go to Christmas shows and concerts, watch Chritsmas movies, and feel all warm and fuzzy while looking at the fairy lights in the streets and houses.<br />
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<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/elf-christmas-gif-pQyu5ZpeyriyQ">via GIPHY</a><br />
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Well, whether you're in Venezuela, in Ireland or anywhere in the world, have a happy Christmas!</div>
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Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-86073062113423571372015-11-22T15:53:00.000+00:002015-11-22T15:53:58.753+00:00Mockingjay 2, a chilling ending to the series / Katniss, the ultimate Francis Lawrence's diva<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've always found <b>The Hunger Games</b> series very odd. Which is good. </div>
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Perhaps is not a very known fact, but <b>Francis Lawrence</b>, the films' director, had his big break making the videoclip for <b>Aerosmith's </b>"I don't wanna miss a thing", a.k.a. "that song from Armageddon". He also made the clip from "Jaded" (one of my favorites ever, see below if you like).</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qbexOeoH5hg" width="459"></iframe></div>
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Before his film debut, he worked with numerous rock and pop artists making video clips, and after taking a look at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Music_videos_directed_by_Francis_Lawrence"><b>list of clips signed by him</b></a>, I realised it made perfect sense for him to bring <b>Katniss Everdeen</b> to the big screen.</div>
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Just to name a few and make my point, he worked with Gwen Stefani, Shakira, Avril Lavigne, Destiny's Child, Pink, Shirley Manson (Garbage), Alanis Morrisette, Beyonce, Nelly Furtado, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Mila Kunis (in Aerosmith's Jaded)...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3ljB_06br6VEcQcsQ63A_bL9ZCFPDNxc0HMSK84HopqjlvQ-2B5UG9S_ucZhUNG_AdGE3fLgeX448vW8RKwMXaLDsLYb1uvqqUZo9I50X-RSm47xfIwLy7-p1dq-xUlAhzyBmqWwLsQ/s1600/Hunger+Games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3ljB_06br6VEcQcsQ63A_bL9ZCFPDNxc0HMSK84HopqjlvQ-2B5UG9S_ucZhUNG_AdGE3fLgeX448vW8RKwMXaLDsLYb1uvqqUZo9I50X-RSm47xfIwLy7-p1dq-xUlAhzyBmqWwLsQ/s640/Hunger+Games.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just a few pre-Hunger Games Mockingjays Lawrence directed</span></td></tr>
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Are you catching the pattern by now?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XfrLhogzHhqnLWc5Klb3QYO2yKik6fgaSyZMF7EZazsmVzNTsvMXwmn59orZrMYraKo-nP0l9iW9XW75kwZxOKDWwLERGLdcG5naEu-OZ3qUNdh7ifqQY5EmdpkqgZiSog7xoO7Q1cc/s1600/Hunger+Games+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XfrLhogzHhqnLWc5Klb3QYO2yKik6fgaSyZMF7EZazsmVzNTsvMXwmn59orZrMYraKo-nP0l9iW9XW75kwZxOKDWwLERGLdcG5naEu-OZ3qUNdh7ifqQY5EmdpkqgZiSog7xoO7Q1cc/s640/Hunger+Games+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please see pictures above and compare poses and ideas</span></td></tr>
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If you need someone to direct a video about a strong, beautiful woman with an edge, he's your guy. And the Mockingjay surely had three out of three. She's the ultimate <b>Francis Lawrence's</b> diva.</div>
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So, I've watched all the movies and now that the last film, Mockingjay Part 2 is out, I went to see it in the cinema, and a chilling thought cooked in my mind as the events unfolded: <b>I've seen this somewhere, and not precisely in the books.</b></div>
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There will be some <b>spoilers </b>below, so if you haven't seen the movie and don't want to know what happens, you've been warned.</div>
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<b>District 12</b>, the one with the worst living conditions, the one that supplies fuel to the <b>Capitol</b>, has been progresively kept under tighter and more violent control. No one in the Capitol cared when 12's kids were hungry, but when the riots jeopardized the supply, the alarms went on. Eventually, corrupt and sophisticated president <b>Snow </b>gave the order to bomb <b>Distric 12 </b>and completely destroyed it. No one in the Capitol cared, everyone was watching Caesar Flickerman's talkshow, or perhaps the games.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flightcentre.com.au/cms_images/web_images/blog/fc/district-12-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.flightcentre.com.au/cms_images/web_images/blog/fc/district-12-blog.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Just another day in Distric 12.</b></span> Via <a href="http://www.flightcentre.com.au/travel-news/inspiration/9-movie-sets-can-actually-visit/">flightcentre.com.au</a></td></tr>
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Then, the survivors fleed and reorganized in the middle of nowhere, welcomed by the blood-thirsty tyrant, president <b>Coin </b>who ruled <b>District 13</b>, an area previosly destroyed by the Capitol forces, and that now had a very heavy arsenal of <b>weapons</b>, a deep <b>hate </b>towards the Capitol and access to <b>broadcasting</b>.</div>
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There they, especially <b>Katniss</b>, are manipulated into being the face of the rebellion, making frequent and chilling videos that start <b>spreading fear</b> in the spoiled and desensitized <b>Capitol </b>population. Now they care. As the group becomes more and more radicalised, they organise to atttack the city, even willing to <b>sacrify themselves</b> for Coin's cause, which they've been convinced to believe is theirs.</div>
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And so they enter the <b>Capitol </b>and <b>Snow </b>decides to make an <b>espectacle </b>out of the hunting of the rebels.</div>
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As <b>the city watches</b> them on mandatory reports displayed on all screens, they go through nightmares, rivalry, internal fights, but it's too late to have second thoughts. Their faces are now on all "<b>wanted</b>" posters, while <b>Coin </b>and the <b>game master</b> get ready to take over in the confort of their well hidden base. It's always the young and vulnerable who take the shots for the greedy and powerful.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wjlondon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Mockingjay-Part-1-propaganda-poster-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://wjlondon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Mockingjay-Part-1-propaganda-poster-7.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Propaganda loves children. </span></b>Via <a href="http://wjlondon.com/amazing-hunger-games-propaganda-posters/">wjlondon.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>Snow </b>then decides to evacuate part of the <b>Capitol</b>, and calls up all the <b>refugees </b>to a safe area where food and medicine is promised. As all the scared and disoriented people follow his instruction, <b>Katniss </b>and her "star squad" <b>infiltrate the refugees </b>and, hiden amongst them, plan to get close enough for an attack. </div>
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<b>Surveillance </b>is weak and they manage to seize the chaos to get to <b>Snow</b>, and then, when he's captured, <b>Coin </b>makes her move and brings fire to the <b>Capitol</b>. Now the bombs weren't in distant and empoverished <b>Distric 12</b>, they were in the heart of the shinniest city of <b>Panem</b>. The <b>children </b>crying were not malnourished, the <b>adults </b>running were not miners and farmers, and the <b>buildings </b>burning were not shabby huts and improvised markets.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecocult.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/covergirl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ecocult.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/covergirl.jpeg" height="350" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Then a Real Life makeup brand started selling 12-Districts inspired makeup. </span></b>Via <a href="http://ecocult.com/2014/guess-what-hunger-games-fans-youre-a-citizen-of-the-capital/">ecocult.com</a></td></tr>
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And at that point, <b>Coin </b>shows her (ill-hidden) true colours. After what could pass as a successful coup d'etat, she seats in Snow's office with her military junta and appoints herself<b> "Interim" President of Panem</b>, with elections coming, eventually "when the time is right". </div>
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Then, her first motion is to organize a<b> "symbolic Hunger Games" </b>where the districts will get their awaited revenge by watching the Capitol's children fight each other in the arena. As a populist, vindictive, master of propaganda, the woman knew who'd be the sole winner of that.</div>
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<b>Katniss</b>, who had knew for a while that <b>Coin's </b>medicine was worst than <b>Snow's </b>disease, manages to put her down before she pull off that plan, and a mob of angry people takes care of Snow. After that, in an <b>idealistic </b>turn of events, <b>Panem </b>actually gets what seems to be a fair election and a decent president, so everyone can now go on with their lives and rebuild their homes.</div>
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But the <b>nightmares </b>will never go away. And the<b> lost ones</b> will never come back.</div>
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<b>Francis Lawrence </b>was also aware of the uncanny resemblance of the movies' story to less fictional events, and in an interview <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/23/mockingjay-s-mastermind-francis-lawrence-on-the-book-vs-movie-isis-parallels-and-more.html"><b>he gave after the premier of Mockingjay 1</b></a>, he resumes it very accurately: "Suzanne Collins wrote a series of books specifically about the consequences of war, and one of the facets we get to explore in this movie is the use of propaganda in war, and the manipulation of imagery and people in the use of propaganda. Unfortunately, this kind of thing has been happening for a really long time. Now, due to technology, it reaches people in a faster, more immediate way.”</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIC8eJDhMOlMxYHs6ObjejPVSYVEBdnKfaI-J6B-JMfuPsrqBAR7mJ_mtvn8MM0DWveZp5d7Cmbf1T3Vw8RcxezhiYtB2woyyvt2JnsdtQZRxXKPoLBlCJ50fXll_35rwVCAz7O-AgeE/s1600/Hunger+Games+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIC8eJDhMOlMxYHs6ObjejPVSYVEBdnKfaI-J6B-JMfuPsrqBAR7mJ_mtvn8MM0DWveZp5d7Cmbf1T3Vw8RcxezhiYtB2woyyvt2JnsdtQZRxXKPoLBlCJ50fXll_35rwVCAz7O-AgeE/s640/Hunger+Games+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Carrot Vs The Stick</b></span></td></tr>
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Perhaps, if there was a<b> Hunger Games</b>' expanded universe, we could have seen more of the other districts and more of the <b>Capitol</b>. Probably we've seen the better-off districts worrying slowly and becoming <b>paranoic </b>when the fire arrived. Maybe, we'd discovered that many people with <b>Capitol's </b>passports were recruited and radicalised thanks to the <b>Mockingjay's </b>charisma and manipulation (see flamboyant Effie, who turned up to be a rebel). Who knows, if there was anything similar to social media in <b>Panem</b>, many people would have covered their profile picture with the <b>Capitol's </b>colours to show empathy, while others would bitterly wonder why wasn't it possible to get District 12's colours when it happened there.</div>
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I think that <b>Mockingjay Part 2</b> was a pretty good movie, with an eerily timed premiere, and even though it was slower and longer than <b>The Hunger Games</b> and <b>Catching Fire</b>, it was fair to the books.</div>
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And by the way,<b> Francis Lawrence </b>-the director- and <b>Jennifer Lawrence</b> -the Star- have the same last name but are not related. Speaking of coincidences.</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-39066866608519442492015-11-14T11:34:00.002+00:002015-11-14T16:22:44.917+00:00What about a diet, but instead of changing what you eat, you'd change what you read/watch/listen?<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are thousands of <b>diets </b>out there, and lately I've been thinking... if we can adjust the way we eat in order to obtain a certain <b>result</b>, maybe there is a similar way to change what we consume as <b>entertainment </b>in order to think differently.</div>
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I started to think that after realizing how much time I was spending online <b>doing nothing</b>, learning nothing and not even having a real laugh. I started to feel like those people that notice they're getting sick because they eat fast food and ready meals all the time. Yes, they're <b>cheap and tasty</b>, but deep down you know they're <b>not the best</b> you could be having.</div>
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<a href="http://images.freeimages.com/images/previews/689/fresh-veggies-1148424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.freeimages.com/images/previews/689/fresh-veggies-1148424.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And there's nothing wrong with <b>indulging </b>in a never ending scrolling of <b>memes </b>and <b>social media</b> statuses, nor will I judge anyone who's spends a whole evening reading one <b>Buzzfeed </b>list after the other (those 84 thoughts they had while watching <b>Game of Thrones</b> really are all of us) or someone that follows more "and you won't believe what happened next" links than they would like to admit.</div>
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However, when it came to the point that I was giving it almost enough time for it to be a part time job, I felt that I was starting to <b>think in GIF images and memes</b>, and I didn't like it.</div>
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<a href="http://images.freeimages.com/images/previews/2bb/books-in-the-fridge-1-1525507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.freeimages.com/images/previews/2bb/books-in-the-fridge-1-1525507.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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It got so bad that just as older people might have a saying or a popular expression for many things, I caught myself <b>repeating </b>popular captions such as "nothing to do here", "I'm not even mad, that's amazing" and "I'm not always <i>X</i>, but when I do, I <i>Y</i>".</div>
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Let's say that if I were to compare <b>entertainment/information</b> to <b>food</b>, I would be exchanging most of the fast food, takeaway and ready meals I was having daily, for a mix of homemade cooking, some quirky artisan products and a good sandwich from a nice deli. It doesn't sound so <b>drastic </b>because it isn't, but I'm not ready to go <b>vegan </b>on my enterteainment either.</div>
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Instead of setting it by the day, as you can more easily do with <b>food </b>because you eat it three times a day, here's an example of what I'm <b>trying </b>to get done in a <b>week</b>:</div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">1. Watch 1 "good" blockbuster movie:</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> Everyone will have their definition of what a "good movie" is, but to keep it simple for the example, let's say it's a movie with at least decent ratings both from critics and audience in the website </span><b style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/">Rotten Tomatoes</a></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> (although if it has a great score on one side and awful in the other it might be interesting as well). Ideally in the cinema, by the way.</span><br />
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<b style="text-align: justify;">2. Watch 1 "good" non-blockbuster movie or a few episodes of a good TV series:</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> It can be a classic, a documentary, a "foreign" (non Hollywood), an independent or a lower budget film. In other words, something that is a bit different. </span></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">3. Read/listen to the news for a few minutes every day: </b><span style="text-align: justify;">One of the things I love about living in a country in which occasionally you get good news is to find out about them. I leave them on, on the radio on my way to work, or stop and read an article or two when I see them shared in my social media.</span></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">4. Catch up on social media, and then move on: </b><span style="text-align: justify;">Instead of jumping to my screen everytime I hear the alarm, I will tend to it when I have a moment to dedicate to that, and instead of compulsively checking every post from every friend, I'll just do a quick scroll and stop if I find something interesting or truly funny.</span></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">5. Not sharing rubbish:</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> I wasn't very guilty of this anyway, but now I try to do it even less. Well, maybe a picture of a dog occasionally is not the end of the world, but you get the idea.</span></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">6. Not engaging in Internet arguments: </b><span style="text-align: justify;">I used to do it sometimes, out of boredom or to defend a friend, but it's just not worth the time.</span></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">7. Read a few chapters from a real book:</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> By real I mean a paper book, just because I like it, but an e-book is fine if that's your thing. But it has to be non technical please, recipe books and manuals don't count, and neither do magazines, even though some of them are great. Fiction, non fiction or something in between, try to go through a couple dozen pages at least, before you put it down.</span><br />
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<b style="text-align: justify;">8. Make something creative: </b><span style="text-align: justify;">Maybe write a short story or at least a page in my diary or a post in here, attemp to mix some music samples (I've tried once so far so it counts!). If I'm feeling dumb, at the very very least, fill up half a page from a colouring book. </span></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">9. Listen to new music:</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> I love my playlists, but sometimes when you play the same few songs over and over, you might not discover something new you will love. Spotify is great for this, but many pages and apps can help. And it doesn't have to be literally "new" it can be a very old band, or a new album from a group you used to listen to. As long as it's NEW FOR YOU, then it counts.</span></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">10. Have more conversations: </b><span style="text-align: justify;">In person, via Whatsapp, Skype or Facebook... it doesn't matter, just ask some one how they are or what are they thinking, and listen/read, and then talk/write. It's as simple as that.</span><br />
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I don't know if I'll have time to get all these done every week, but I'm sure I'll try. </div>
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Sometimes I crave to see a hundred memes or funny vines, and sometimes I do, but not all the time anymore. I won't pretend to recommend anyone anything or tell prople what to do, but for me, so far, so good.</div>
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Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-25238945157115128382015-11-06T19:10:00.000+00:002015-11-06T19:10:10.499+00:00Three questions you should ask yourself before bullying your staff or coworkers<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm so fed up with the sadistic culture going on in many kitchens, where you are expected to be humilliated before they teach you anything. It's just like a cycle of domestic violence where the child that was abused grows up, and now he hits his wife and children.</div>
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I've seen it so often. I know many wonderful people working in the food industry that sometimes suffer because a bully at work makes their life miserable and they are afraid to speak up or confront them. After all, the fear of losing your job is real and strong.</div>
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So, when you want to abuse your staff or coworkers, please ask yourself the following three questions:</div>
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<b>1. "Am I building a pyramid?": </b>If the answer is <b>NO </b>(which it is), then have some self control and avoid acting like if you were raised by wolves in a mental asylum.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B2oGkMY9uC-HKk_U1HbKFGkN0oBiUkNG9N2pyuFoFTV76wXNKzth5a0VuEBChWOU_8Cwmvi7beZS31FUq6MhsYJTmUn2ALuCG2CS1VEgJhz_DaZNY3q9PHHJICzYw4ABYjpzoY5QSzk/s1600/questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B2oGkMY9uC-HKk_U1HbKFGkN0oBiUkNG9N2pyuFoFTV76wXNKzth5a0VuEBChWOU_8Cwmvi7beZS31FUq6MhsYJTmUn2ALuCG2CS1VEgJhz_DaZNY3q9PHHJICzYw4ABYjpzoY5QSzk/s400/questions.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing against wolves, they're actually excellent at team work</td></tr>
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<b>2. "Is this my way to get revenge at this unfair world?": </b>If you can relate to that statement, please change your approach. There are places in Japan where you can pay to be allowed to break dishes. You can also join your local fight club or find a moshpit and let the rage flow between consensual adults, perhaps you can even make friends with a masochist.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXA9QaepnB2uSj3cg3EzEkSGF5go90bSLCA7BSTbLRL7I_AMKw7qSiESgGU2eShoVQNrBJGZLopkqmA5SDUE_tLKyl0CpRc5H-5_v8XEnzGbAqZAX3VxWjGs_QAiDg4x-V4VcTeAX9Ks/s1600/questions+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXA9QaepnB2uSj3cg3EzEkSGF5go90bSLCA7BSTbLRL7I_AMKw7qSiESgGU2eShoVQNrBJGZLopkqmA5SDUE_tLKyl0CpRc5H-5_v8XEnzGbAqZAX3VxWjGs_QAiDg4x-V4VcTeAX9Ks/s400/questions+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.mikesblender.com/breaking%20stuff%20big%20plate.jpg">mikesblender.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>3. Am I the last living master of a mythical martial art?:</b> If you are, then I give you a green light to go and get a hut at the top of a mountain and make your aprentices suffer in order to gain your ancestral knowledge. If you are not, please stop acting like you were.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWodupIkHXE3hyphenhyphenqD0GJT09VTxbgnC4vziys2ig5Aw3I6lepoqhzuBMayol7XiJ-rpsRt1tEmZvVFgZ60m1XQZRMKEkEG0B_wAgfR2Bkd6RsDfNwaggM_WOsH28GCUo7c550Txs5qIA0SI/s1600/questions+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWodupIkHXE3hyphenhyphenqD0GJT09VTxbgnC4vziys2ig5Aw3I6lepoqhzuBMayol7XiJ-rpsRt1tEmZvVFgZ60m1XQZRMKEkEG0B_wAgfR2Bkd6RsDfNwaggM_WOsH28GCUo7c550Txs5qIA0SI/s640/questions+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-16896232799620080132015-10-29T22:02:00.000+00:002015-11-02T19:08:59.519+00:00London was a slap of fresh air in my face<div style="text-align: justify;">
A couple of weeks ago I travelled to <b>London </b>for the first time. You always read the name next to New York, Paris, Tokyo and other super <b>capitals </b>of the world. You see it in <b>movies</b>: tourists trying to make a Royal guard laugh (no touching), everyone walking fast under their umbrellas in the rain, and the Big Ben overseeing all the madness.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSaMtv8A_ODNWi4d-cWPkW3E-LK3LjyhS-ACYhXzI8tW0j73HUibfaEM-Mi6mPcImkLHhjV1nXSId6eRHd79SvOZdS0cpgsFZHo56QaVVUHiTy6oBlFesNJMtKCQeaXihyuFLi6xJ2wA/s1600/DSC_0942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSaMtv8A_ODNWi4d-cWPkW3E-LK3LjyhS-ACYhXzI8tW0j73HUibfaEM-Mi6mPcImkLHhjV1nXSId6eRHd79SvOZdS0cpgsFZHo56QaVVUHiTy6oBlFesNJMtKCQeaXihyuFLi6xJ2wA/s400/DSC_0942.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Imagine the possibilities of randomly running into a friend </b></span></td></tr>
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I've realized by now that <b>I am a small city person</b>, I get bored in villages and stressed in metropoles, so for me, <b>Dublin </b>is what the warm oatmeal plate is for Goldilocks, but meeting a new place is always exciting.</div>
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So I arrived, alone and for five days, having the privilege of staying with great people I haven't seen in a very long time and that happened to be living in <b>London</b>.</div>
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I have to admmit that for the first half of my trip I was <b>overwhelmed</b>. The distances too long, the prices too high, the crows too big, and I've never been a skilled map reader so, being without Wi-Fi most of the time and using an old school paper map to get by was a <b>challenge</b>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cHheFZjgFeuwZ8tNiyIW4ZLNxz4qy0ytR0FoQuZfDzwR2YOyBlufyFyJUYZFSUnmrcimOY-CMFbRlwYtz-OfCxi0BEkpfNLfro2L3yoUwrfKM5PL8X_Ohp8dXUOPCy_xg4l3GbdZM2w/s1600/DSC_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cHheFZjgFeuwZ8tNiyIW4ZLNxz4qy0ytR0FoQuZfDzwR2YOyBlufyFyJUYZFSUnmrcimOY-CMFbRlwYtz-OfCxi0BEkpfNLfro2L3yoUwrfKM5PL8X_Ohp8dXUOPCy_xg4l3GbdZM2w/s400/DSC_0989.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I assure you, it was more colourful in real life</b></span></td></tr>
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The people were <b>surprisingly kind</b>, except if you were standing in the left side of an escalator, and everywhere I went there were the same three or four food-on-the-go chains. Yes, there were good restaurants, but I was on a budget and actualy <b>on-the-go,</b> as I wanted to see and do as much as possible, so for the duration of my trip, I sticked with a diet of sandwiches and prepacked sushi.</div>
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A course I was taking absorbed most of my time, but I was able to see the<b> London National Gallery </b>and <b>Tate Modern. </b>I'm not an art expert, but I enjoy visiting art museums and staring at pieces that catch my eye, trying to identify what's it about them that atracts me. I've also went to the beautiful <b>St. Paul's Cathedral</b>, to <b>Hyde Park</b> (were I had the chance to share my on-the-go avocado wholegrain sourdough toastie with a squirrel) and to <b>Spitafield Market. </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16IJuFuGoywMFdYxD7sZH5meEBo_WDyokFwLCHtffFEg7COGUUqAwEh80_5dswUAWJy-NkKJeD8Ur8xTH17Zse9VGJS_j5NenvNZhdbBV8vH9NHVjXWH4v_J2-rk8LOhCEyAShj0Iab0/s1600/DSC_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16IJuFuGoywMFdYxD7sZH5meEBo_WDyokFwLCHtffFEg7COGUUqAwEh80_5dswUAWJy-NkKJeD8Ur8xTH17Zse9VGJS_j5NenvNZhdbBV8vH9NHVjXWH4v_J2-rk8LOhCEyAShj0Iab0/s400/DSC_1007.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Just sharing with the locals...</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcMy-LOluMarnZeAQSRxzPqXhxcJykpBOBSL9wOiqQM6kH5QvGUQyS3xE-v8LQ4OMtqoBMbs5dnfnQZ0Hl_V53ntDjauIQSMp66KCm9R-lhY0_VAbotZmwCvpSe8Dga2rBXIIU836ddU/s1600/DSC_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcMy-LOluMarnZeAQSRxzPqXhxcJykpBOBSL9wOiqQM6kH5QvGUQyS3xE-v8LQ4OMtqoBMbs5dnfnQZ0Hl_V53ntDjauIQSMp66KCm9R-lhY0_VAbotZmwCvpSe8Dga2rBXIIU836ddU/s400/DSC_0985.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Spitafield Market</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCo7KwOFNgf1KTSiZRinI2ELSh-hinU33r-9GjAkeZyywVXetWebxmeJa0yTvSfrVdtEbQWIbmkuw9WfqwEOy3xfCGrURl_QmOXia2az3mHyhuvrYz8Yj4VtpY9f27_5pCLzjggiprmA/s1600/DSC_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCo7KwOFNgf1KTSiZRinI2ELSh-hinU33r-9GjAkeZyywVXetWebxmeJa0yTvSfrVdtEbQWIbmkuw9WfqwEOy3xfCGrURl_QmOXia2az3mHyhuvrYz8Yj4VtpY9f27_5pCLzjggiprmA/s400/DSC_0996.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">National Gallery [In the back]</span></b> </td></tr>
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In that last place I made the only <b>shopping</b> I allowed myself to do in the city: a hand painted shirt with a little cottage lost in a forest of pines. I had to have it. Near that, I also visited the famous <b>Cereal Killer Cafe</b>, a place that only serves bowls of cereals (but they have tons of options).</div>
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Of course I went to a pub and had a pint with the classmates. A very drunk local guy approach the table and he was allowed to stay and make a fool of himself by talking a bit of nonsense and attempting to stand and dance on his chair.</div>
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I'd say one of the most "travelly" things I did was visiting<b> The Monument,</b> a 62 mts tall structure which happens to be the tallest isolated stone column in the world (thanks <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_to_the_Great_Fire_of_London">Wikipedia</a></b>). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqDIZFN2grzE2wFa4cibULrRyR1AVAxaWcGKW2lzg_avw4gWnUB2A405l3K-TKI-PREy9JWQU4XgJ68CrATlqxrZMHrAu0kca-DUTI4JMoY-h6-PZQmtY8RiWBBJ_j75PIi4KXdOWWcA/s1600/DSC_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqDIZFN2grzE2wFa4cibULrRyR1AVAxaWcGKW2lzg_avw4gWnUB2A405l3K-TKI-PREy9JWQU4XgJ68CrATlqxrZMHrAu0kca-DUTI4JMoY-h6-PZQmtY8RiWBBJ_j75PIi4KXdOWWcA/s400/DSC_0961.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Monument</span></td></tr>
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I say "travelly" because it was really out of my <b>comfort zone,</b> in fact, I don't know what got into me -I'm a person that is scared of heights and gets vertigo in shopping centre's balconys- but I was walking by it and decided that I wanted to see <b>London </b>from the top (who doesn't?). I paid my 4 pounds ticket and started going up the <b>winding stair,</b> looking out from the small and frequent windows that reminded me that every step up I took, I was on a <b>deadlier </b>distance to the ground.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-VlkRLXm_uOpEhxt6oQPhqDeIkhEXzIf1HGrNZi6efNMFYKz0EOQSYkY1YYXC_zyhr-rt2xqqJhPi9tjOuLZAjACR1BZ0qMaM9-CFSWpuIOon-J1TA0vXJ_jDBz4zWQ_5uxPpoUKo7k/s1600/DSC_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-VlkRLXm_uOpEhxt6oQPhqDeIkhEXzIf1HGrNZi6efNMFYKz0EOQSYkY1YYXC_zyhr-rt2xqqJhPi9tjOuLZAjACR1BZ0qMaM9-CFSWpuIOon-J1TA0vXJ_jDBz4zWQ_5uxPpoUKo7k/s400/DSC_0950.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">I just kept looking to the centre of the spiral</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Thoughts of the thing falling apart with me inside it, of a person running and bumping into me accidentally (or on purpose) pushing me to the floor, tempted me to </span><b style="text-align: justify;">stop and go back.</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> And it wasn't just because it cost me 4 pounds that </span><b style="text-align: justify;">I kept going</b><span style="text-align: justify;">... when would I get another chance to do that? The fact that I could hear children laughing on the top only made my fear seem more </span><b style="text-align: justify;">irrational</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> and silly.</span></div>
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So I decided to<b> stop overthinking things</b> and then, <b>London </b>and I got along better... I rolled my eyes to people standing on the left side of the scalators, found my way around without asking and for a moment,<b> I got why people love living in very big cities </b>where everything happens at the same time, where you are anonimously free yet constantly tracked, and where trends come and go faster than you can even find out about them.</div>
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<b>London </b>is beautiful and exciting, fun and scary, punctual and messy, friendly and hostile, and just like the mushroom in <b>Alice in Wonderland,</b> it can make you feel big or small depending on which side you choose. </div>
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I went<b> back home</b> with a cute shirt, a souvenir from the museum, a pinecone from Hyde Park, a bunch of overpriced subway tickets, and the <b>slap of fresh air</b> I badly needed.</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-55964199120306961872015-10-07T22:00:00.002+01:002015-10-07T22:00:58.351+01:00The 10 types of Venezuelans you'll find abroad (at their best and at their worst)<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." Wise words by Forest Gump's momma. Well, this applies to many things, including of course, meeting people, and in this particular case, meeting Venezuelans abroad.</div>
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We might be all chocolates from the same box, but we surely come in very different flavours.</div>
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So after thinking about writing this list for a few days, I decided to compile 10 cliches I've noticed when meeting Venezuelans in foreign lands.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPnjtCjYzSq6ebDgKOLSdf01zldUJdhCm-VBVgwkp2_mpTUju3nJjfyEwzeaP2M9wIgyXVuds92-CaVPKnuMtUUCN8Fqm2QqLoEIjHV557CvM5sM3KHWIRg0OPJcY1-2QAJ6oTgCU-gs/s1600/Venezuelans+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPnjtCjYzSq6ebDgKOLSdf01zldUJdhCm-VBVgwkp2_mpTUju3nJjfyEwzeaP2M9wIgyXVuds92-CaVPKnuMtUUCN8Fqm2QqLoEIjHV557CvM5sM3KHWIRg0OPJcY1-2QAJ6oTgCU-gs/s320/Venezuelans+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Did you read about what happened yesterday in the Asamblea?"</i><b> </b></span></td></tr>
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<b>1. The one that never left:</b> Yes, his passport has the stamp, his body is in front of you, but his mind is miles away, somewhere around 10°30′N 66°58′W (I've always wanted to quote coordinates on a post!). They <b>obssess</b> about the currency exchange rate and read Venezuelan news constantly, but are unable to mention a current event in the city they sleep in. They belong to dozens of whassapp groups, and spend more hours in social media than socializing IRL.</div>
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<b>At their best: </b>They somehow managed to keep in touch with friends and family and found a way to be there for them despite the distance. </div>
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<b>At their worst: </b>They don't enjoy their new surroundings, and are always in their own little bubble.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4F9Lkr7JX77W7M5HS6GM_ECNCLxvnGEcnKRH0AObGqM-JLTN4WfmjXyBRBLFiFZNftLm0blm1PntSscdSB1XoV0resv7mAqEeCMFr9EveYEXfwqwvfkySNQfQF6tn4uWwwfrrN8RIrg/s1600/Venezuelans+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4F9Lkr7JX77W7M5HS6GM_ECNCLxvnGEcnKRH0AObGqM-JLTN4WfmjXyBRBLFiFZNftLm0blm1PntSscdSB1XoV0resv7mAqEeCMFr9EveYEXfwqwvfkySNQfQF6tn4uWwwfrrN8RIrg/s640/Venezuelans+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The sad thing is that they don't exagerate, sometimes they even tone it down (Via<b> </b><a href="http://visual.ly/crime-venezuela" style="font-weight: bold;">visual.ly</a>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<b>2. The sensationalist:</b> Did they tell you about Caracas being in the world's top 5 cities with more murders per capita? They won't shut up about Venezuela's darkest facts (yes, sadly, facts). Corruption, kidnapping, extorsion, riots, shortages... that time when he witnessed a person getting mugged at gunpoint (or when his car got stolen) is his favorite cocktail ice breaker. This person seems to take a secret and sick pleasure in sharing these tales, almost like if letting you know what they've seen would give them some sort of <i>street cred</i> mixed with victim status. </div>
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<b>At their best: </b>They help to create awareness about all the mess that's going on back in the country.</div>
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<b>At their worst: </b>They are downright depresing. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpByW4N8YNNEamlj2U9twTEpykVaTIyK9BlsTaYtyzDTGBBbva7AfQsDIJYGQdqEXUjwBw7e85B3MXeJcuJcLBFX-SPG7ElKDiwaEWCHysmbrnXqMcjK90z9NXfPvzHRzHLW1dB29U8A/s1600/Venezuelans+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpByW4N8YNNEamlj2U9twTEpykVaTIyK9BlsTaYtyzDTGBBbva7AfQsDIJYGQdqEXUjwBw7e85B3MXeJcuJcLBFX-SPG7ElKDiwaEWCHysmbrnXqMcjK90z9NXfPvzHRzHLW1dB29U8A/s400/Venezuelans+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Hi there, allow me to recommend you some place for coffee (Via <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/34a1kn/til_waldo_from_the_popular_wheres_waldo_childrens">reddit.com</a>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<b>3. The camouflaged one: </b>They look like a local, walk like a local, eat, talk, dress and party like a local so well that they blend in in their new environment completetly. Or so they think. The Japanese have an expression for these people, they call them "Henna Gaijin" which ironically means "strange foreigneer": non-Japanese people who act too Japanese-like. </div>
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Funny thing, in Ireland there's an expression: "more Irish than the Irish themselves", which makes reference to the cultural asimilation that foreigneers experience in the island (the Irish lifestyle is hard to resist, with the exception perhaps of <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/09/5-eating-habits-ive-picked-up-in.html">crisps sandwiches</a></b>).</div>
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<b>At their best: </b>Turns out they are legit, they adapted and are true locals to their new community. </div>
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<b>At their worst: </b>They are <i>faux locals</i> trying too hard. They come up as pretentious and artificial.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JIcKcf6vUkLN_srY-EI2azS9pd7qKkHlYOoLXgL_A4F7SFTVR-0Q_AtFs6j7_nRkXY7BDZmUfiakSVDcrFdqr_QB7w5BioR006TUg8QHOK8ap6M7Ytu6TavxIZjEmF-sQeeYS6t6KfQ/s1600/Venezuelans+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JIcKcf6vUkLN_srY-EI2azS9pd7qKkHlYOoLXgL_A4F7SFTVR-0Q_AtFs6j7_nRkXY7BDZmUfiakSVDcrFdqr_QB7w5BioR006TUg8QHOK8ap6M7Ytu6TavxIZjEmF-sQeeYS6t6KfQ/s320/Venezuelans+%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A fine example of this type, Edgar Ramirez (centre) Via <a href="http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2011/01/17/991768-golden-globe-carlos-francais-olivier-assayas-meilleure-mini-serie-tv.html">ladepeche.fr</a></i></span></td></tr>
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<b>4. The overachiever: </b>Whether they are directing orchestras, discovering the cure for some disease, winning gold medals or helping launch rockets into space, these Venezuelans are celebrated. They are shinning abroad, putting their PhDs and creativity to good use in a country that has given them the opportunity they never had at home.</div>
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<b>At their best: </b>They are role models that make us proud and show us that the great ones weren't all born in the XIX century.</div>
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<b>At their worst: </b>Run away from the ones whose success is seasoned with arrogance, especially if they are good with social media.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_a9DpLuASp5b5uZT2_kPlyQQBAlaoUesEguJUStXuLwp-0Mopn5DULCpJTPosF19r11iM9nYCtm_H0tvrLIqeQ0Zwp-wSbR70HIQWkvELQFt5L8dzUSn6E5EDnoP_AUyxpu3i2tlvH84/s1600/Venezuelans+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_a9DpLuASp5b5uZT2_kPlyQQBAlaoUesEguJUStXuLwp-0Mopn5DULCpJTPosF19r11iM9nYCtm_H0tvrLIqeQ0Zwp-wSbR70HIQWkvELQFt5L8dzUSn6E5EDnoP_AUyxpu3i2tlvH84/s320/Venezuelans+%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: start;"><b>Dmitri: </b>Here I am janitor. In former Soviet Union, I am physicist; Leningrad Polytechnica - Go Polar Bears. </span>Via <a href="http://bigbangtheory.wikia.com/wiki/The_Bat_Jar_Conjecture">bigbangtheory.wikia.com</a></span></i></td></tr>
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<b>5. The overqualified kitchen porter: </b>A degree from a top university, postgraduate studies and fluency in three languages. This one should be mingling with the academic elite or wolfing their way to the top in a corporate environment right? But then, something happened, and they never found that golden job yet they still needed to pay rent. </div>
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There is an episode in The Big Bang Theory, where the guys participate in a physics knowledge competition and, missing one in the team, they recruit Dimitri, the Russian janitor. Turns out the guy was a physicist in the Soviet Union and he knew the answer to a question not even Sheldon got right. Well, they point is, this one is <i>our Dimitri.</i></div>
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<b>At their best: </b>They are educated, resilient and hard working, with a rich inner life, aware that their jobs don't define who they are.</div>
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<b>At their worst: </b>They are bitter, jaded and jelous of everyone whose job doesn't involve a sink.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzPBSHNavRNI5UETygYLy5rKcGJFnjdbCTUXEA9QwpNdFNQ8vM3V0dvbEyV97h6oAl1Uio-4R6t1U0r-VVVE_MWC6aV7-jcPV4KsOHHOHhit0Q3Jb8StjB0fiP-yKjRCfGYLe4DbLA54/s1600/Venezuelans+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzPBSHNavRNI5UETygYLy5rKcGJFnjdbCTUXEA9QwpNdFNQ8vM3V0dvbEyV97h6oAl1Uio-4R6t1U0r-VVVE_MWC6aV7-jcPV4KsOHHOHhit0Q3Jb8StjB0fiP-yKjRCfGYLe4DbLA54/s640/Venezuelans+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://quotes.lifehack.org/quote/eric-hoffer/people-who-bite-the-hand-that-feeds/">quotes.lifehack.org</a></td></tr>
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<b>6. The leech: </b>If life was actually a box of chocolates, they would be the one filled with a pink chewy cream that tastes horrible. They're our rotten apples, the bullet on a game of Russian roulette, the rabid dog that bite the hand that feeds. They're the reason why we don't trust each other. They're the ones that steal from the till at work, that will take your bike, that run shady businesses and scams. They are the ones that will do anything to get rich, except working.</div>
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<b>At their best: </b>Can't find anything good about them... perhaps that they force you to be extra nice, to compensate for their parasitic ways.</div>
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<b>At their worst: </b>They give us all a bad name, and make life harder for the ones trying to do things right.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H2eLQJlXveUmMWjZhzTsnyvPMv6tGZoQamf8g0Rc3wKWQponBS2wqkjGaUDaxqdbfrv2rTL4wmMbRnqU9yhrJ6PKeOZHjQVNyImawllXQELmBz81UJ08YARPOpEtHEKBc2f77_CmDVE/s1600/Venezuelans+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H2eLQJlXveUmMWjZhzTsnyvPMv6tGZoQamf8g0Rc3wKWQponBS2wqkjGaUDaxqdbfrv2rTL4wmMbRnqU9yhrJ6PKeOZHjQVNyImawllXQELmBz81UJ08YARPOpEtHEKBc2f77_CmDVE/s400/Venezuelans+%25287%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>It's a beautiful day for a wedding (Via <a href="http://allthingsburton.tumblr.com/post/23175839847/mrs-vandort-its-a-beautiful-day-mr-vandort">allthingsburton.tumblr.com</a>)</i></span></td></tr>
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<b>7. The impoverished <i>sifrino</i>: </b>In case you don't know, a "sifrino" (<i>see-free-noh</i>) is a posh guy (sifrina, a posh girl) that lives a priviledge life, often criticized for being clueless and caring little for others. They might not have the best education, but they probably went to the most expensive college (and partied their way to a completely unpractical degree). Now, in a new country, far from mom and dad (this made worse by the fact that it's nearly impossible to legally send money abroad from Venezuela) they're a bit like those aristocrats that ran out of money but try to keep the illusion of being rich for as long as possible. </div>
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<b>At their best: </b>They become humbler, kinder and nicer, and they grow as a person from their experience.</div>
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<b>At their worst: </b>They are horrible at managing their money and if they don't find a good salary soon or change their ways, they'll end up reluctantly going back home or becoming leeches.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVKAHTBmVmZes8n2CrAMw3awlsClLzSPqAHFOscrVEKAX5C_E22_WqnkEDye1HMQm_fDkb3fuox_7t49d8eodbrvM87m2uDOBoSXbLRGykSkNHci-7Py-NonHJdZwQYsYS1ATxOYst2M/s1600/Venezuelans+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVKAHTBmVmZes8n2CrAMw3awlsClLzSPqAHFOscrVEKAX5C_E22_WqnkEDye1HMQm_fDkb3fuox_7t49d8eodbrvM87m2uDOBoSXbLRGykSkNHci-7Py-NonHJdZwQYsYS1ATxOYst2M/s400/Venezuelans+%25288%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Via <a href="http://ibc.org.br/cr/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/">ibc.org.br</a></i></span></td></tr>
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<b>8. Everyone's friend: </b>They are the life of the party. Warm, happy, optimistic and charismatic (very often they are seriously good looking as well). These guys and girls will cook arepas for you, teach you how to dance salsa, and tell you all about the beautiful beaches, mountains and landscapes of Venezuela. They might even share with you a fancy bottle of rum that they brought for a special occasion. They are always smiling and they always give you a little kiss on the cheek when they greet you.</div>
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<b>At their best: </b>They are great fun, their friendship is real and they will be there for you no matter what. </div>
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<b>At their worst: </b>Turns out they are too nice for their own good. They get scamed easily (sometimes by a shameless leech) and can move to the dark side if they hang out with bad influences.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KISD5clqCxNYy6ngy1YS3G0vzMSG9Z-Ctkl6ges1ej22TfT-I8ZvnjJbe113nTIjqCjAvGnu2QsF8BWFRhqg6VebJa5ZH1Vh4VFzzfi-nwH1x_isENZXUghpgufh2PdONr1VaG3NtJM/s1600/Venezuelans+%252810%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KISD5clqCxNYy6ngy1YS3G0vzMSG9Z-Ctkl6ges1ej22TfT-I8ZvnjJbe113nTIjqCjAvGnu2QsF8BWFRhqg6VebJa5ZH1Vh4VFzzfi-nwH1x_isENZXUghpgufh2PdONr1VaG3NtJM/s400/Venezuelans+%252810%2529.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"I'm ready for a pint" Via <a href="http://hotelfotosdelpersonal.blogspot.ie/">hotelfotosdelpersonal.blogspot.ie</a></i></span></td></tr>
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<b>9. The identity overcompensator:</b> When they were living in Venezuela, they used to listen brit pop, eat sushi as often as possible and dress like a character from an American sitcom. And suddenly, they're far and they develop this absurd nostalgia about traditions they never participated in, food they never cooked, sports teams they never rooted for and beautiful landscapes they never visited. They wave flags like they never did before, pay ridiculous prices for smuggled Venezuelan candy and slowly become a theme-park version of <i>Venezuelaness</i>.</div>
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<b>At their best: </b>They don't harm anyone and they get to show people a thing or two about Venezuelan culture.</div>
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<b>At their worst: </b>You can't help but feel they're faking it. Nobody likes malta THAT much.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH1iSuJHVPR5zfP-KsZUvUF6MvXU40Lnu_6Q0w2OdSyeAYbElGAs4dA61JbRzie64pfagYRpXzcpUl-5hxCrbVQtA21egD9v7SlhbfPBre8n51kYs8bhdDmLunGKBJiSc-GufalIDH50/s1600/Venezuelans+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH1iSuJHVPR5zfP-KsZUvUF6MvXU40Lnu_6Q0w2OdSyeAYbElGAs4dA61JbRzie64pfagYRpXzcpUl-5hxCrbVQtA21egD9v7SlhbfPBre8n51kYs8bhdDmLunGKBJiSc-GufalIDH50/s400/Venezuelans+%252811%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>10. The one that reminds you of yourself: </b>Here you were, thinking that you were the only sane person holding a Venezuelan passport and then you meet each other. You both are kind, normal people, with flaws and dreams, working hard to make it in another country. You both kept some traditions and adopted a few new ones. You make plans to spend Christmas together and go to each other's birthday. You don't speak Spanish unless everyone in the room does too (but sometimes a comment or joke here and there finds its way) and you slowly gained each other's trust.</div>
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<b>At their best: </b>You become very good friends, you understand each other and support each other. </div>
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<b>At their worst:</b> You get competitive and mess things up. You play in the same league, but what could have been teamwork, becomes rivalry. Such a waste.</div>
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I can say I've meet at least one of each.<br />
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I can also say that I've been a little bit like all of these types.<br />
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Except for the leech. Feck leeches.<br />
<br />Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-61845689384269495672015-09-30T14:10:00.001+01:002015-09-30T14:10:13.582+01:0010 ingredients wildly popular in Ireland that are originally from Latin America<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm on a streak of writing about food and after listing my <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/09/5-eating-habits-ive-picked-up-in.html">newly acquired Irish eating habits</a></b>, and letting you know about some <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/08/15-things-you-might-not-know-about.html">relatively unkown facts about Venezuelan food</a></b>, I started to think about the many ingredients that we share and I realized that there are lots of Latin American ingredients that are iconic in Irish food.</div>
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Some of them are probably no surprise, but you'll see a few unexpected apperances...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.two-views.com/images/breakfastplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.two-views.com/images/breakfastplate.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.two-views.com/hangovers/irish.html">two-views.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>1. Tomatoes: </b>A must-have of the irish breakfast, this fruit (yes fruit) was once thought to be poisonous. Grown first in Central America and western South America, it was already in the Aztecs' diet around 500 BC. It arrived to Europe around the XVI century and slowly grew on the local palates. </div>
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<b>The Irish way: </b>As mentioned, rosted in the Irhish breakfast, but also in salads (everyone seems to love the cherry tomatoes) and rolls. </div>
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<a href="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/2/23/Turkey-head.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20101222161006" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/2/23/Turkey-head.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20101222161006" /></a></div>
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<b>2. Turkey: </b>This bird, native to forest of the north of Mexico and the United States is one of the most popular poultry options (I'd say the second best seller, after chicken) and also, one of the most awkwardly named creatures you can eat: Europeans who discovered tought it was some sort of guineafowl, which they usually got from Turkey (the country). Then they started calling it "Turkey fowl" and then just "Turkey". By the way, in Turkey (the country), this bird is called "Indian" (perhaps in relation to its original French name <i>coq d'Inde</i> or<i> rooster of India, </i>which makes sense as Europeans kind of though America was India when they first arrived), and Indians (the people) call Turkey (the bird) "Peru". In Peru (the country), the bird is called "Pavo".</div>
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<b>The Irish way: </b>The ultimate diet meat, as it's lean and has lower calories than other meats. Have it in wraps and multigrain sambos, or go classic, and serve it Thanksgiving-style (more American than Irish but relatively popular here anyway) with stuffing and cranberry sauce.</div>
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Serve it differently: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://livepuntamita.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Aztecs-drinking-cacao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://livepuntamita.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Aztecs-drinking-cacao.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://livepuntamita.com/day-7-cocoa-%E2%80%93-30-favorite-things-about-mexico-september-celebrations/">livepuntamita.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>3. Cocoa: </b>Despite popular belief, cocoa -which as you know is the main ingredient of chocolate- wasn't originated in Mexico (although you have to give it to the Aztecs, they were the ones that made it a big deal for the first time), but in the Amazon region in South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil). It made its way to what's now Mexico and then Spanish conquistadors took it back home where, unlike the tangy and bushy tomato, it became an instant hit.</div>
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<b>The Irish way: </b>The Irish are obsessed with chocolate. Every occasion has its own shape to eat it: Valentines's Day (red heart shaped), then Easter (egg shaped), then Mothers' Day (pink heart shaped), Halloween (spooky themes shaped) and of course, Christmas (rose shaped for some reason). Besides that, it's used for all types of sweets and confectionery such as chocolate digestive biscuits, rocky roads, brownies, etc.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a.dilcdn.com/bl/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/02/Princess-Truth-Pocahontas-Gold-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://a.dilcdn.com/bl/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/02/Princess-Truth-Pocahontas-Gold-2.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://blogs.disney.com/oh-my-disney/2015/02/27/11-painful-truths-only-princesses-would-understand/">blogs.disney.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>4. Corn:</b> a.k.a. Maize, this grain was domesticated in Mesoamerica during prehistoric times, it is kown to have been eaten at least 7000 ago in Mexico. It was so important that it became part of people's identity in many Mesoamerican cultures. The Mayans even believed that they were literally made from corn.</div>
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<b>The Irish way:</b> Almost exclusively two varieties: sweetcorn and popcorn. It is enjoyed mixed with tuna (really?) and in sandwiches and rolls (no self-respecting deli is complete without this ingredient). The popcorn type is commonly eaten not just in the movies, but as a prepacked snack in several flavours (lovely!), seen as a lighter alternative to chips.</div>
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<b><i>Which takes me to...</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fromchinavillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/irish-potatoes-what-to-buy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fromchinavillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/irish-potatoes-what-to-buy.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.fromchinavillage.com/2014/01/irish-potatoes-a-primer/">fromchinavillage.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>5. Potatoes: </b>I can't imagine Irish food without the potato. Which makes it easy to imagine it has a legendary Celtic origin or that ancient tribes harvested it and discovered its many uses. But in reality, the spud is Peruvian (and from the north of Bolivia) and it was cultivated at least 2.500 years ago (some say 10.000) by native peoples. It arrived to Europe through Spain in the XVI century and a few decades after it was growing in Ireland.</div>
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Its lower spoilage rate compared to other foods, its cheapness and its filling quality made it one of the main produces in the island. With millions of people eventually becoming dependent on the potato for food, and due to economic and socio-political circunstances unable to feed from anything else, the mid XIX century potato blight was devastating in the country.</div>
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More than a hundred years have passed and even though it will never be forgotten, things have change, happily for the best. And even though today, you can find food from all over the world in Ireland, the simple potato is still the most popular ingredient around.</div>
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<b>The Irish way:</b> Crisps, chips, smashed, baked, roasted, stuffed, in wedges, just the skins with bacon and cheese... (I'm starting to feel like Bubba from Forest Gump when he talks about shrimps)... It's only a matter of time to have potato ice cream and smoothies.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cavesbranch.com/Portals/0/Blog/5%20(Copy)_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cavesbranch.com/Portals/0/Blog/5%20(Copy)_1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.cavesbranch.com/belize-adventure-travel-blog/post/articleid/26/what-s-happening-in-the-botanical-gardens-at-ian-andersons-caves-branch">cavesbranch.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>6. Vanilla: </b>You hear things like "French Vanilla", "Madagascar Vanilla" and "Tahitian Vanilla", so you might think that it's original from some of these places. But nop. It's Mexican, and its name means "small pod" ("vaina" is Spanish for "pod"). By the way, normally you see it as an extract or with luck, as thin black sticks, but it comes from an orchid (<i>V. Planifolia</i>). By now you won't be surprised if I tell you it was cultivated by the Aztecs and briught to Europe by the Spanish, but it might shock you that the majority of the vanilla-things you eat are actually flavour with artificial substitutes, as real vanilla is the third most expensive spice in the world (topped by cardamom and saffron). So if you want the real vanilla, check your ingredient list carefully and be prepared to pay.</div>
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<b>The Irish way: </b>A touch of vanilla syrup in coffee, or as flavour in custards, ice creams and sweet creams... Prety much the standard global way to use vanilla, though.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://wileynutritionbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/peanut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://wileynutritionbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/peanut.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="https://wileynutritionbytes.com/tag/infant-peanut-allergy/">wileynutritionbytes.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>7. Peanuts:</b> The most popular nut in the world, which is actually a legume, was domesticated and cultivated first in North Western Argentina (some say Bolivia, proably both as there were no borders in prehistory but that is not of my business). </div>
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<b>The Irish way:</b> Peanuth butter bonanza! Smooth, crunchy, organic, with chocolate... in here, people literally buy it in buckets for home consumprtion (well, not everyone, but I see them in shops not meant for wholesaling so). Also salted or cevered in flavours.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/images/20100727-pecans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.seriouseats.com/images/20100727-pecans.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/07/pecans-the-other-georgia-nut.html">seriouseats.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>8. Pecans: </b>These tasty nuts come from the North of Mexico and the South of the United States. Both countries are still the biggest producers nowadays.</div>
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<b>The Irish way: </b>You'll find it on plenty of confectionery (commonly mixed with maple syrup) and salads. Sometimes if you're fancy, with turkey (the bird) or chicken.</div>
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The next two are not as traditionally popular in Ireland, but they are very trendy, widely available and I decided to include them in the list because they are tasty, healty and becoming bigger as I write.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cupofjo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/avocadotoast-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cupofjo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/avocadotoast-4.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://cupofjo.com/2012/06/the-best-avocado-toast-youll-ever-have/">cupofjo.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>8. Avocados: </b>With the scientific name of <i>Persea americana</i>, it is clear that this green fruit (yup, just like the tomato, so basically guacamole = fruit salad) comes from the "new world", more especifically, from East-Central Mexico. Oldest evidence of avocados in the area are up to 10.000 years old.</div>
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<b>The Irish way: </b>Try to find a brunch menu in Dublin without Avocado on Toast, come on, I dare you. Besides that, lots of burrito places have it as guacamole, and some healthy delis offer it as well. It's becoming more and more popular by the day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alterecofoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/QuinoaSummerSalad_2131.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.alterecofoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/QuinoaSummerSalad_2131.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.alterecofoods.com/recipes/quinoa/">alterecofoods.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>10 Quinoa: </b>This grain that is actually a pseudo-cereal (what's with this deceiving food pretending to be vegetables and nuts and grains?) which originated in the Andean region (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia). Depending on who you ask, it's been known between 3.000 and 7.000 years ago. Since it's filled with most nutrients than other grains (or psuedo-grains), and it's very versatile (kind of like couscous), it is becoming a very popular ingredient, especially for the health and nutrition oriented foodies.</div>
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<b>The Irish way: </b>Find it at an absurdly expensive price in health shops and healthy restaurants. Commonly served in salads.</div>
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Again, some of them come as no surprise, but I find really cool that lots of Latin American ingredients have become part of the Irish diet and tradition, some recently, some centuries ago. </div>
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And they are all so tasty and good for you! Yummy :D</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-11584847425318650202015-09-25T13:08:00.001+01:002015-09-25T13:08:27.079+01:005 eating habits I've picked up in Ireland (and 5 that aren't going to happen)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>When in Rome do as the Romans do. </b></div>
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That centuries old phrase never gets old and it's been one of my mottos since <a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/01/one-year-in-ireland-and-finally-i-found.html">moving to Ireland</a>. Not just because I feel that integrating to the local life is important, but because I've found that what Romans do here is usually great fun.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizmTXNhLQUYmfyC1eRiK0BaN1XdQnztviPsKNc7z9Ngt_ljfjQ8XYYlF7etsXUx3iD58HX0Kl3DTBry3hs-PI2OH6zqBr6j_x2bjZhXO34s52sbjTAw2vDA_7PUjhXuwcOc6xx03fxM8/s1600/Irish+food+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizmTXNhLQUYmfyC1eRiK0BaN1XdQnztviPsKNc7z9Ngt_ljfjQ8XYYlF7etsXUx3iD58HX0Kl3DTBry3hs-PI2OH6zqBr6j_x2bjZhXO34s52sbjTAw2vDA_7PUjhXuwcOc6xx03fxM8/s320/Irish+food+1.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/food/competitions/2013/1021/481786-day-2-win-a-love-irish-food-hamper/">rte.ie</a></td></tr>
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On this occasion, I'll focus on food and drink, and I'll share five habits that I didn't have in Venezuela and that are part of my everyday now, and five that I can't just get.</div>
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So, let's start with the adopted ones:</div>
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<b>1. Ordering take away: </b>I used to think that take away was just for pizza, and if I wanted to get chinese food, sushi or whatever, it was a waste of occasion to eat it home, as I like the idea of dressing up and going to a place, eating in and not having to clean up or worry about anything. However, that amount of places here especialized in take away foods (with no tables, just a counter), made me change my mind. Besides, on colder days, you still want to eat something different (by that I mean cooked by somebody else), but you're already in PJ mood.</div>
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<b>2. Go to the pub: </b>In Venezuela, most people that go out for drinks do so in places with loud music and dance floors. The idea of a place where you just sit and have a pint is relatively unusual (perhaps recently a few places are introducing it but if there is no loudness and dancing, the mainstream public is not really in). And yes, there are bars in Venezuela but either they are the 5 Star Hotel ultra fancy/expensive ones, or the shady ones where things can end up Dothraki wedding style. Not my thing. Is it too much to ask for a nice, clean place where you can sit and have a chat with friends over a couple of beers, with some decent food and feel safe? Not in Dublin, where there are hundreds of places like that. Nice.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejju2-G3O-ad0z440g2aVsXLuquvIGPN2YCgueXaBdaZujgONUXPV1sud3Z4aFDcfS6v3lEHBo6zw1929SPJTSr4Eqz2vz4VeFAqjiwXTslL2MDhEtgghlfynFHqy_OwHoxhTX7ASyno/s1600/Irish+food+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejju2-G3O-ad0z440g2aVsXLuquvIGPN2YCgueXaBdaZujgONUXPV1sud3Z4aFDcfS6v3lEHBo6zw1929SPJTSr4Eqz2vz4VeFAqjiwXTslL2MDhEtgghlfynFHqy_OwHoxhTX7ASyno/s400/Irish+food+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.glenmcclure.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=12&p=0&a=0&at=0">glenmcclure.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>3. Online grocery shopping: </b>Best thing ever. Don't get me wrong, I love grocery shopping, but in the last few years before moving, shopping in Venezuelan supermarkets became sad and scary (shortages, military control, absurdly long queues, etc). This still breaks my heart, but back to topic: the fact that I can get all the food I want with minimal effort is amazing, and even if I go in person from time to time, if I'm having a very busy week, I just buy my food online and it's here the next day. </div>
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<b>4. Having darker beers and/or craft beers:</b> In Venezuela, we drink mostly lagers and it's ok. Under the tropical sun at 30 degrees you wouldn't feel like ordering the back stuff anyway. But here, the amount of options made me realize that these light golden beers are not really the ones I like the most. Now I usually get a red ale or pale ale. Cheers!.</div>
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<b>5. Eating ice cream in the winter:</b> The first time someone sugested we get gelato while walking on Grafton Street during a cold winter day I was puzzled. I thought they were joking. But you know what, who cares, there's heating everywhere and it's a great treat to hold while Christmas window shopping (did I mention that Christmas here starts in early September? Which I LOVE).</div>
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<b>Runners up: </b>Sandwich for lunch, eating scones, going to discount supermarkets, eating cheddar cheese, boil in the bag rice, using teapots.</div>
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But I won't lie, not everything has been so catchy for me, and there are a few things that I still find odd, or just plain unpleasant.</div>
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<b>1. Having chips or chicken with pizza: </b>chips with pizza? really? Besides it being a carbs overdose, just doesn't make any sense. Nor I understand the point of adding chicken as a topping to pizza. For me, it ruins it. Sorry not sorry.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNtnn7FYBwfYDQaY2DXKR6T8ofDjowcvo8IBa27JzJi9wY5zxZOKiGFe7rFcNND5t-uw3UPNXIb4oW-CYEtBOKQ1oguo63_rBIcNGhtVgNVDSutv6IgcBO4izUx9PAhNRqyHquMlLb8k/s1600/Irish+food+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNtnn7FYBwfYDQaY2DXKR6T8ofDjowcvo8IBa27JzJi9wY5zxZOKiGFe7rFcNND5t-uw3UPNXIb4oW-CYEtBOKQ1oguo63_rBIcNGhtVgNVDSutv6IgcBO4izUx9PAhNRqyHquMlLb8k/s400/Irish+food+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://glutenfreeadventuresandme.co.uk/2014/07/16/gluten-free-junk-food-craving/">glutenfreeadventuresandme.co.uk</a></td></tr>
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<b>2. Ordering fried chicken in an "Italian" takeaway:</b> The one thing that I just don't get about takeaways (which as I stated in the first part of the post, I love) is how so many places advertise as "Italian" and they are actually a mix of pizza, kebabs, chinese and fish and chips. Mamma mia, WTF! I used to look for risotto or lasagna on their menus unkowingly of the situation, but now I see that if I want real Italian food, I better go out or make it myself.</div>
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<b>3. Drinking energy drinks and sports drinks without doing sports: </b>I see them in the bus, in shops on the streets... Seems like everyone likes to drink these drinks instead of plain water. Now that I think about it, I don't see many people drinking just plain water. I don't like energy drinks, and I just don't see myself adapting this habit.</div>
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<b>4. Breakfast rolls:</b> This bomb ussually include the ingredients of a traditional Irish breakfast (which is awesome), but all squeezed together in a half baguette (which is just too much). I'm not a vegetarian, but there is something about a roll filled with rashers, black pudding, bacon, sausage and butter that doesn't feel right to me.</div>
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<b>5. Brunch at 2pm:</b> Brunch is a word that combines "breakfast" and "lunch", so logic would dictate that is done between those hours (I like it around 10 or 11 am). But noooooooo, not in here. Not even the restaurants are ready for brunch in the morning (most open at noon). So if you have it at lunch time, then why is it called brunch? Is just lunch. Just luch. Really. </div>
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<b>Runners up: </b>crisps sandwiches, tomato soup, rocky roads (and many candy-covered traybakes), </div>
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Are there any eating habits you've adopted after moving to a new country? </div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-73200599891375705802015-09-08T18:40:00.002+01:002015-09-08T18:40:49.696+01:00The ultimate guide to finding Venezuelan food in Ireland<div style="text-align: justify;">
Venezuelan food is <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/08/15-things-you-might-not-know-about.html">relatively unknown outside Venezuela</a></b>, and even though this is changing and in the last few years many Venezuelans have opened different types of food businesses all across the globe, it's still hard to find in Ireland.</div>
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Unless, you know where to look.</div>
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Gathering information from social media (mostly Facebook) I compiled this list, which is a work in progress (please contact me if you'd like to be included or know something that should be noted). In here, I hope to help you find the different options that several Venezuelan cooks, entrepreneurs and bakers are making fresh in the emerald island.</div>
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<b>Comida Venezolana Take Away</b></div>
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<b>Description: </b>Homemade vegan traditional Venezuelan cuisine. Especialises in typical menu (pabellon) with <i>vegan mechada</i> (shreded seasoned veggies).</div>
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<b>Contact: </b>083 161 7125</div>
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<b>Delivery: </b>Yes.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Comida-Venezolana-TAKE-AWAY/775114589282327?fref=photo"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp9UKCKvAT2PUMv185PAVnx3azuJl_QQx-pjkTOFFs1ePll7eNUg7ukxlhvcZux29bNF8gAam1DE7MHUrQBcj5zbfp_vF7xtAmSeCjGcT3asYIS54jw1TMZ43Wh7CLJM1bt2d3TWaMiA/s320/venezuelan+food+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Comida-Venezolana-TAKE-AWAY/775114589282327?fref=photo">More information</a></b></span></td></tr>
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<b>Como en Casa Venezolana</b><br />
<b>Description: </b>Seasonal Venezuelan food, especializes in Christmas food, in particular, hallacas (cornbread stuffed with beef and pork sweet & savory stew).<br />
November and December only.<br />
<b>Contact: </b>083 457 1169<br />
<b>Delivery: </b>No.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/niuskap"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1OsTFSI_LdtpRWR3Q0o6bp6aZHdr4J5Vv6RxPrm0u59MF1CNY0wlhiV3d-vshTxCIqH-Zt1Fqg0dpYMkVZs8Jy5Dm042ArsG6c5JKylR8Ve2OtMdZbfEulRSAbwMqEabDrF3oZJZ52Q/s320/venezuelan+food+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/niuskap">More Information</a></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Sabanero Venezuelan Artisan Cheese</b><br />
<b>Description: </b>Traditional Venezuelan-style hard and semi-hard white cheese and "suero" (salted buttermilk) made with natural ingredients in Galway. They also make ready to cook cachapas (sweet corn flat bread) dough.<br />
<b>Contact: </b>089 441 7292<br />
<b>Delivery: </b>Meeting point in Dublin's City Centre, delivery can be arranged.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabanero-Venezuelan-Artisan-Cheese/1587119804841844?fref=photo"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgljyKCx-lYd2JetY1r4q_KVYEAgYBwXEhoH1oBs4LZkTUyl54ZU6a2pK-89p70flPtx1a5oAV03t7H2huM_7WUM8ly5v0FCTD1wjDmJSdyrdrpm6h3JbzbwYuJ9GeY-qH_OT7Jc1Uzg/s400/venezuelan+food+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabanero-Venezuelan-Artisan-Cheese/1587119804841844?fref=photo">More Information</a></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Sabor & Garlic</b><br />
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<b>Description: </b>Traditional and modern Venezuelan dishes, catering service. Made by Venezuelan chef Nestor Montes.</div>
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<b>Contact: </b>085 281 9663</div>
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<b>Delivery: </b>Take Away (meeting point agreed).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabor-Garlic/797098890327340?sk=timeline"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGA55sGH1AgBBfYjIGMEx-VT4A9MBNfaaRqK1iDCgF62PXcsRk6t70JDu2qEoYGrxBXT6QG7_4VTFGiM40PZbM4MWmHDL4Q10XhXjP7LAH5ekaZiSiu1evdRL-KvCm6UUM4frDK1riTo/s320/venezuelan+food+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabor-Garlic/797098890327340?sk=timeline"><b><span style="font-size: small;">More Information</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Caro's Food</b><br />
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<b>Description: </b>A mix of international food and Venezuelan specialities. Novelty and wedding cakes, traditional and gluten/sugar free sweets and confections. Catering and finger food (including tequeños a.k.a. Venezuelan cheese rolls).</div>
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<b>Contact: </b>085 281 9663</div>
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<b>Delivery: </b>Take Away (meeting point agreed)</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caros-Food/544386625669418?sk=timeline"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmuYXgPoWIIM9H_EbzOiB4ZSnN7RsGkiPCtZFCHkgJRZzfnq2hrpXhdpPCxEe1rp7j2KCU-E5qjAYCjDf-YEc_GWV8DEG1AL8mOVXWoKhnraGTpB3i66E113L3lgn9X7w8wC6Qxc7YkA/s400/venezuelan+food+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caros-Food/544386625669418?sk=timeline"><b><span style="font-size: small;">More Information</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Gachi Cake</b><br />
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<b>Description: </b>Homemade cakes, novelty cakes, quesillo (flan), tres leches cake, arroz con leche (rice pudding). Also, Venezuelan-style finger food (including tequeños a.k.a. Venezuelan cheese rolls).</div>
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<b>Contact: </b>083 193 0873</div>
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<b>Delivery: </b>Take Away, delivery can be arranged.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/graciela.angel.5"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xVHkEA1hExr63Y0MKX8zhBBA635rB9dPpnDfnHR-dnVGAXamU1zvIKAXPawBn4VP9KfDkFtZR_1bzdTjutx_Rd4ECznQwfjUjC5dFERIKFswmMId2f-Of7lBxkOdtelF3Wfz95vExvs/s320/venezuelan+food+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/graciela.angel.5"><b><span style="font-size: small;">More Information</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Al Punto Snacks</b></div>
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<b>Description: </b>Catering for events of all sizes. Venezuelan and Latin American style finger food, canapes and pastries.</div>
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<b>Contact: </b>087 386 6683</div>
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<b>Delivery: </b>Yes.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/alpuntosnacks?fref=photo"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkzJHYjqRcW70qsMj-yy9ZSFmNTiyS3r9peBTL0idFGAQir-REObXvYYZ-vHQfilC07n4k3iJA4eP_it2Csc9J2sr2p-Rsvv9sxgEd0ul7Y3Q-gGotFUyf96aXBW-Bn5PA35dv-mLKlE/s320/venezuelan+food+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/alpuntosnacks?fref=photo">More Information</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Merengue</b></div>
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<b>Description: </b>Venezuelan and South American style sweets, biscuits and confectionery. Especializes in dulce de leche (arequipe, cajeta, milk caramel spread).</div>
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<b>Contact: </b>086 371 2096</div>
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<b>Delivery: </b>Can be arranged.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MerengueCafe/timeline" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QmAiVLs25Um5j3CWldBgSDB0abr9iTx9wq95RWoCVz1MuRb36xy92Fjf9pFpjgJku8QSm-ayflJDpmykmVE71SIkR5N2ETj2WL2systRWYHw_-DsScIuBFMHBqKnIIk4eAwGbVty6Fw/s320/venezuelan+food+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MerengueCafe/timeline"><span style="font-size: small;">More Information</span></a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Bonus Points!</b><br />
While compiling this list, I ran into another interesting food business, not exactly Venezuelan, but nearby (Brazil).<br />
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<b>NutriQuick</b></div>
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<b>Description: </b>Balanced, natural, protein rich ready to eat meals, especially created for people with active lifestyles.</div>
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<b>Contact: </b>089 982 1038</div>
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<b>Delivery: </b>Yes.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NutriQuick/timeline" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpA0wnjK4DVQsxHA1kGjCiXs1R5VkYuBEQxQM8m4_UdkCPGGPjse7c3nFGypr6P4XU0JN0HF2MZRe5txohYGXYjj8qy2VjyZ68bGZlOeWtaSYRT-BRL5UHeRCrRC92FG0ZlxTG7gkDQ10/s320/venezuelan+food+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NutriQuick/timeline"><b><span style="font-size: small;">More Information</span></b></a></td></tr>
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<br /><b>More bonus points</b><br />
Also, there are some Dublin based businesses with Venezuelans cooking, that have allowed them certain room for creativity, so you might find an occasional taste from home in the menu.<br />
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<b>Sasha House Pettite: </b>Cafe, deli and bakery where Eastern European and French influeces converge, and thanks to the pastry chef Nancy Dayana, you can find some Venezuelan and Latinoamerican style treats every now and then. Her eclairs have been praised by local experts, including a great review from <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shpetite?fref=ts">Lovin Dublin</a></b>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shpetite?fref=ts" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hprofile-xfa1/v/t1.0-1/c26.26.322.322/s160x160/602761_569474503080656_423927279_n.png?oh=4c1198c331e118064ff523d97c3ae571&oe=5675453D" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shpetite?fref=ts">More Information</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>KC Peaches (Nassau Street): </b>Cafe and restaurant/wine cave, with an international mix of offers. Venezuelan chef David Ochoa is behind a Venezuelan Night where traditional food is served and paired with the restaurant's wines.<br />
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<a href="http://kcpeaches.com/nassau-street/"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11903907_1026418797368942_1978011506777151176_n.jpg?oh=776b3fc6b4a5803f5d4b763a78573ab7&oe=566F8CF3" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://kcpeaches.com/nassau-street/">More Information</a></b></div>
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Finally, as I said in the beginning, <b>this is a work in progress</b> and, if you'd like to be included in the list (or know a business that it's not here and should be) please let me know! </div>
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Whether you're...</div>
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A chef of pastry chef slowly sneaking Venezuelan recipes at your workplace's menu, </div>
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An entrepreneur trying to launch a product or selling it at farmers markets and through social media.</div>
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A person who simply loves cooking and sells some tasty, well made homemade goodies.</div>
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Please keep in touch. Venezuelan foodies in Ireland say hi!</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-79911853117598084952015-08-30T21:27:00.000+01:002015-08-30T21:33:16.061+01:00Here are some other affordable places to let in Dublin...<div style="text-align: justify;">
This week an <b><a href="http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/banter/would-suit-a-small-professional-doll-house-for-rent-on-daft-for-450-a-month-31479104.html">ad in Daft.ie went viral.</a></b> It offered a house for rent in Dublin for 450 euros a month. "would suit a small professional", it said... Barbie sized, they meant, because it was a doll house.</div>
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After that, I started finding some similar parodies in Facebook and other social media and no wonder why: renting a room (renting in general) in this lovely city is expensive.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppSgAyz-3APm4DSDfFIkHhQwGUDkHoqqS367JguUexRLymAI5XD2zFoXEKASnsQhFLzoT1OnEkRTBiRsBwcuULHkUaY4ewtm7uGuKL2s5KPXaENuz1wQ8_D_ebJB4jHjvAM77Yi7xqrc/s1600/Rent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppSgAyz-3APm4DSDfFIkHhQwGUDkHoqqS367JguUexRLymAI5XD2zFoXEKASnsQhFLzoT1OnEkRTBiRsBwcuULHkUaY4ewtm7uGuKL2s5KPXaENuz1wQ8_D_ebJB4jHjvAM77Yi7xqrc/s400/Rent.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, here's a short selection of famous small rooms, and how they would feature in a local "To Let" ad... The places might be fantasy, but the prices are the real deal.</div>
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<b>1. Donnybrook. Room to Rent - </b><span style="text-align: start;"><b>€200 Weekly</b></span></div>
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Cozzy room in a large house, bills not included. Will suit a young professional or student. Close to a part of the house that has a window (sunlight not included).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLppQJAlkxdgA_LV9Dq83g2V6DBdVLv9FITwWebQLYVXSzZrH_3dUvsGHqw83MI_YM2RUuBfHilWriwX_jS8K6KHOoqLFMKe5w8kQ2p0WA5hmWkhPc8553ekBXAUlN4jJn5R7XZFBNw8/s1600/rent+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLppQJAlkxdgA_LV9Dq83g2V6DBdVLv9FITwWebQLYVXSzZrH_3dUvsGHqw83MI_YM2RUuBfHilWriwX_jS8K6KHOoqLFMKe5w8kQ2p0WA5hmWkhPc8553ekBXAUlN4jJn5R7XZFBNw8/s640/rent+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>2. Kilmainham. Room to Rent - </b><b>€450 Monthly</b><br />
Friendly hard-working lizard is renting a double room in the top floor of the house. Will suit a human couple after a bite or two of shrinking mushroom.<br />
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<b>3. Inchicore. Bedroom to share - €300 Monthly</b><br />
Lovely one bed cottage, walking distance to city centre. I'm looking to share my room with a nice, quiet student. No toilet in-house, but lots of parks nearby.<br />
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<b>4. Phibsborough, Dublin 7. Barrel to Rent - €450 Monthly</b></div>
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Conveniently located, within walking distance to City Centre (you can even wear it as you go), and with an independent entrance, this place will suit a young professional or student.</div>
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We do not accept rent allowance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfxx8jwr3P7QUAxkRq5_d6wuUi6Cpprs3G1XzGCtqD2294tKm2keeff0ghH-u06zWKGBM7D370uivxW6VJfeZBriJf6npgyuMlPG4_W2lFglxkuqgavvUaeLJMzeeHNaRgxIp6yRbql4/s1600/rent+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfxx8jwr3P7QUAxkRq5_d6wuUi6Cpprs3G1XzGCtqD2294tKm2keeff0ghH-u06zWKGBM7D370uivxW6VJfeZBriJf6npgyuMlPG4_W2lFglxkuqgavvUaeLJMzeeHNaRgxIp6yRbql4/s640/rent+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>5. Naas. Gingerbread bedroom to Rent <span style="text-align: justify;">- €350 Monthly</span></b><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Freshly baked, beautifully decorated. We are offering a double bedroom in this elegant purpose-built gingerbread house. Will suit a gingerbread man or couple. Tasting recommended.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ewrWOA7cm-9YycYxOFreZoLD9gWbzUq-164cSHOo3DkNZKjM9_H6nZ-QAnsFxqinYt8FwvzJHgNhorkHkB5lGhaRHNh7U69JIVeO-7A0ruxfo3xE4a92uhcwhkWMFB63mpeEqRjChOg/s1600/rent+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ewrWOA7cm-9YycYxOFreZoLD9gWbzUq-164cSHOo3DkNZKjM9_H6nZ-QAnsFxqinYt8FwvzJHgNhorkHkB5lGhaRHNh7U69JIVeO-7A0ruxfo3xE4a92uhcwhkWMFB63mpeEqRjChOg/s640/rent+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="text-align: justify;">6. Smithfield. Box to </span></b><b>Rent <span style="text-align: justify;">- €650 Monthly</span></b><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">I'm looking for a non-smoker, quiet flatmate to share my box, located in a very creative area of the city, ideal for a creative or artistic person (that has a full time job please). No pets allowed, all bills included. </span><br />
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<b>7. Ranelagh. Hole in a Peach to Rent - €125 Weekly</b></div>
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Just 2 min. walk to the LUAS, near cafes, restaurants and supermarkets (the peach is actually in a dumpster shared by several trendy places). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbc7Gsgh25GlV2FCeh98XFEWeIr3OjMEe60fIMiarz61HP7EVrTJOaDksytzUGcxPgfM3J01u7UPAPQyEbMw6xB5VvIKUlAxUMSpTvclwYbAVS3AP3XI8M8qt4rbffDc7WwI5Oec_cSM/s1600/rent+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbc7Gsgh25GlV2FCeh98XFEWeIr3OjMEe60fIMiarz61HP7EVrTJOaDksytzUGcxPgfM3J01u7UPAPQyEbMw6xB5VvIKUlAxUMSpTvclwYbAVS3AP3XI8M8qt4rbffDc7WwI5Oec_cSM/s640/rent+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">8. </span><b style="text-align: justify;">Tallaght. Bed in room to Rent - €200 Monthly </b><span style="text-align: justify;">[</span><span style="text-align: justify;">BER G, so no electricity after 10 am]</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Lovely student accomodation within commuting distance to Dublin, parking space and plenty of local amenities nearby. We are looking for a 9th person to share a septuple room. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">No allergic people please. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuHwZogY5-8xXwAZQy6IZCsLOpRgN1Lxgf3vnYp3njOcyX2PVnCcc9M480EAlXGWRkHdaGQDDdxzIhMgCkwmVoHyieFsqpDXHyjcZ9tOT48s57ICBXGW2qi7kESsACrKqB8_qvx2AuYo/s1600/rent+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuHwZogY5-8xXwAZQy6IZCsLOpRgN1Lxgf3vnYp3njOcyX2PVnCcc9M480EAlXGWRkHdaGQDDdxzIhMgCkwmVoHyieFsqpDXHyjcZ9tOT48s57ICBXGW2qi7kESsACrKqB8_qvx2AuYo/s640/rent+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">9. </b><b style="text-align: justify;">Parnell Street. Studio apartment to Share - €500 Monthly</b><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Cozy, modern flat just 1 min. walk from the Spire. Strictly no-smokers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0nnQVqeM18zscvUoWHRTb6czwPHRVD2EtuTQ7_PPPmuvUAZx2FmXed6vyZJeebKJr0HEC4DzTf4hv6Ql_wglS6obbUsAWURyXbZMm29ldiC_A8dPU6WwpBr7p_Wt6nEhyphenhyphenfWQdsRD6zw/s1600/rent+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0nnQVqeM18zscvUoWHRTb6czwPHRVD2EtuTQ7_PPPmuvUAZx2FmXed6vyZJeebKJr0HEC4DzTf4hv6Ql_wglS6obbUsAWURyXbZMm29ldiC_A8dPU6WwpBr7p_Wt6nEhyphenhyphenfWQdsRD6zw/s640/rent+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;">10. Bray. single room to Rent </b><b style="text-align: justify;"> - €300 Monthly</b><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Hi guys, I'm leaving my flat next week. It's located by the beachside, a total must see. Beautiful scenic views and eco-friendly design. You'll love it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7GzOD50SksXKfTOl_awisAHbpURTxXMGIivL9FQIoKLY7LjVMhUaZ3miHzxRQsGsKo9mQ74Z_wl_WzZp0yWdMqpyvJM57YOR7AJD1cHtHiPnWPkcMHnTZbJ9elLPb0xCV9fpplhux74/s1600/rent+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7GzOD50SksXKfTOl_awisAHbpURTxXMGIivL9FQIoKLY7LjVMhUaZ3miHzxRQsGsKo9mQ74Z_wl_WzZp0yWdMqpyvJM57YOR7AJD1cHtHiPnWPkcMHnTZbJ9elLPb0xCV9fpplhux74/s400/rent+11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">No hermit crabs were harmed in the making of this post.</span>Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7354914179360814802.post-91810103441870939082015-08-23T13:35:00.001+01:002015-08-24T17:51:33.269+01:0015 Things you might not know about Venezuelan food and drink<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love talking <b>about food</b> and quite often people ask me <b>what's Venezuelan food like</b>. For this list, I'm going to focus in a mix of the traditional, the day to day, and the odd. And even though I'm not planning to dwell on the current food shortage, it's worth <b><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-32703081">a mention and a link</a></b>, in case you're interested in learning (or want to show it to somebody).</div>
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<b>1. Venezuelan food is not spicy</b><br />
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Our national chili is called "Aji Dulce" (sweet chili) and it's rated <b>close to zero </b>in the <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale">Scoville Scale</a></b> (a meassurement of pungency a.k.a. spicy heat). Even food served in Peruvian or Mexican restaurants in Venezuela is made milder or has the hot sauce served separately because 99% of us just can't take it.</div>
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<b>2. Venezuelans eat LOTS of pasta</b></div>
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It is not surprising than the biggest pasta-eaters on Earth are Italians, but, did you know that Venezuelans come second? According to the <b><a href="https://top5ofanything.com/list/64c8913f/Countries-that-Consume-the-Most-Pasta-Per-Capita">International Pasta Organization</a></b> (2013), we earned the silver medal in spaguetti eating (in case you're wondering, Tunisia, Greece and Switzerland made it to the rest of the top 5).</div>
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<b>3. People add sugar to nearly everything</b></div>
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I'm not saying this to brag, but I don't mean just to desserts and coffee, we add sugar to lots of savoury recipes such as bolognese sauce, shreded beef, chicken and pork. Sometimes this sugar is in the shape of "papelon" a.k.a. "panela" or "rapadura", which is basically a brick made of raw sugar we slowly eat and drink. And if it doesn't have sugar, at least on of the "two veg" on the sides is sweetish (like fried plantains or sweet potatoes).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Breakfast_in_Venezuela_3.jpg/800px-Breakfast_in_Venezuela_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Breakfast_in_Venezuela_3.jpg/800px-Breakfast_in_Venezuela_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">It wouldn't be the same without the sweetness of the plantains</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>4. We have some odd sushi</b></div>
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Sushi is considered a "chic" food, and lots of people feel fancy when they have it, but not everyone appreciates real sushi, so you can find rolls with cooked chicken, with beef, or cooked fish (we also have the real ones, no worries). There's also the trend of making the rolls more tropical, so expect lots of avocado, mango, and even fried plantain.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/38351034302214670/">https://www.pinterest.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>5. There are Venezuelan wines, and they're good</b></div>
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The main company in the wine making business is Bodegas Pomar, and since 1985, they work to create local wines in a western region <b><a href="http://aerogaby.blogspot.ie/2015/06/10-times-in-which-dublin-was-just-like.html">near Barquisimeto</a></b>. They make still and sparkling wines and also sangria. Because it's very hard to export and the quantities are moderate, these wines are virtually unknown abroad.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.panamericanworld.com/sites/default/files/styles/node-main-pic_normal/public/vinedos_pomar_sabordefamilia.jpg?itok=AatBLUCB" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.panamericanworld.com/sites/default/files/styles/node-main-pic_normal/public/vinedos_pomar_sabordefamilia.jpg?itok=AatBLUCB" height="227" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Venezuelan Vineyards. </span></b>Via <a href="http://www.panamericanworld.com/en/article/wine-venezuela-best-kept-secret">http://www.panamericanworld.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>6. The hot dogs are out of this world</b></div>
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They should be called hot wolves, as they are the undomesticated version of the famous street food. When a Venezuelan asks for a hot dog "con todo" (with everything) they mean it. Double sausage? Sure! Sweet corn? Of course! Mini chips? Carrot? Cabbage, Parmesan cheese, bacon, mixed leaves, tomatoes, onions, alfalfa sprouts? If it can be shreded or chopped, it's a hot dog topping.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i0.wp.com/venezuelaparaelmundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1a56d45.png?resize=646%2C220" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i0.wp.com/venezuelaparaelmundo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1a56d45.png?resize=646%2C220" height="135" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://venezuelaparaelmundo.com/un-perro-caliente-con-todo-asi-es-el-hot-dog-al-estilo-venezolano/">http://venezuelaparaelmundo.com</a><br />
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<b>7. Angostura bitters were invented in Venezuela by a German doctor</b></div>
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That extra touch that takes many cocktails to the next level was created for medicinal purposes by Dr. Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert (1796-1870), who was surgeon general in Simon Bolivar's army. Years later the company moved to Trinidad and it eventually became a globally known product.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ohgo.sh/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/angostura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ohgo.sh/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/angostura.jpg" height="187" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://ohgo.sh/archive/aromatic-bitters/">http://ohgo.sh</a></td></tr>
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<b>8. Cocoa was actually originated in Venezuela</b><br />
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Even though many believe cocoa was originated in Mexican lands, recent research indicates that it was born in the upper Amazon region about 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, particularly in the proximities to the Orinoco river, from which it would eventually had made its way to the Aztecs (who, of course, made it spicy).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chokladkultur.se/aztecs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.chokladkultur.se/aztecs.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Do you want it with chilli? No thanks, I'll have mine with mini marshmallows</b></span></td></tr>
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<b>9. Even the cheap Venezuelan rum is fancier that most foreign rums</b><br />
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In Venezuela, just for a bottle of distilled sugar cane spirit to be legally called rum, it has to meet several requirements, including the need to be aged for at least two years (one of the longest aging laws for rum making). This means that even the cheapest Venezuelan rum is aged and meets a strict quality criteria so, read the label carefully: if it looks like rum but doesn't say rum anywhere, it's probably a sugar cane spirit known as <i>aguardiente</i>, but if it says rum, you're in for probably the best rum you'll ever have.</div>
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<b>10. There is only one Korean restaurant in the whole country</b><br />
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Despite being so popular in many countries, there is only one Korean restaurant in Venezuela (please correct me if I'm mistaken). It is in Caracas and it's called Din Din. I've never been there but I've heard it's pretty good.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.guiadegusta.com/webservice/getxRestaurante.pais4.w364.h205.q90.din-din_1_foto-r-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://www.guiadegusta.com/webservice/getxRestaurante.pais4.w364.h205.q90.din-din_1_foto-r-0.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="https://www.degustavenezuela.com/restaurante/caracas/din-din_623.html">https://www.degustavenezuela.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>11. We have some odd acquired tastes...</b><br />
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Once a Romanian coworker saw me eating sliced green mango with salt and lime juice and she looked at me puzzled. I wonder what she'd have thought if she saw me enjoying a golfeado (local bun similar to a cinnamon roll) covered in fresh cheese, or if I was dipping <b><a href="https://espanol.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070426105849AAcyDib">McDonald's fries in ice cream</a></b>, or having black beans generously sprinkled with sugar (see point 3 of the list), or diping a corn bread called <i>arepa </i>in <i>suero </i>(fermented milk). And that is without <b><a href="http://www.panamericanworld.com/en/article/venezuelan-amazonian-culture-through-gastronomy">going Amazonian</a> </b>(which is great if you've ever wondered what spiders taste like).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://files.zuvanguardia.webnode.com.ve/200003098-20252207dd/La%20vitamina%20zuliana_Foto%20mancheta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://files.zuvanguardia.webnode.com.ve/200003098-20252207dd/La%20vitamina%20zuliana_Foto%20mancheta.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://zuvanguardia.webnode.com.ve/news/el-snack-maracucho-deteriora-la-salud/">http://zuvanguardia.webnode.com.ve</a></td></tr>
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<b>12. ...And an intense relationship with street food</b></div>
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Very often, people will play the food poisoning lottery and eat street food that deep down they know it's suspicious. Shrimp chowder in the middle of a rural road with no access to fresh water? But it smells so good... Homemade marinated raw seafood sold by walking traders in the beach at 35 degrees? Yummy! Ice sorbet or <i>raspado </i>made by a guy with no gloves handling cash and cutting a block of ice that's been exposed for a couple of hours? Mine lemon-flavoured please. It's a bit Russian-rouletty but people still think it's worth the risk as these foods tend to be SO good. We even call <b><i>asquerositos</i> </b>(little disgustings) to street hot dogs, but the name doesn't detracts us from enjoying them.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://elaragueno.com.ve/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/539651256_ec7bdfbfb7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://elaragueno.com.ve/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/539651256_ec7bdfbfb7.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Allergy information? Why would you want to ruin the surprise?</span></b> Via <a href="http://elaragueno.com.ve/cuidate-y-diviertete-consejos-para-no-atentar-contra-la-salud-en-vacaciones/">http://elaragueno.com.ve</a></td></tr>
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<b>13. Arepas are our go-to convenience food</b></div>
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These round and flat cornbread sandwiches can be filled with anything you want. They are quick and easy to make at home, but you can also buy them in places called <i>areperas. </i>They're cheaper than a fast food hamburguer, fresher and more natural. Venezuelans love to know if you have tried them, and if so, your thoughts on arepas (especially if you are a tourist or a foreign friend). Consider yourself very well-liked by a Venezuelan if treated to homemade arepas.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja93IH_eS_62w0eddwa5v7fQoyxtu6_Plj41M3t36PW8TfZ0ffx7bvTNkcogkPKvZo_Cnb8JkiPYxFcsPE4NHF2dP2ERPsMXM2DfpV9g1W2CdzGoPDJTyPHCdkfL7kWEV94R_6GQAVOxfa/s1600/arepa+infografiaFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja93IH_eS_62w0eddwa5v7fQoyxtu6_Plj41M3t36PW8TfZ0ffx7bvTNkcogkPKvZo_Cnb8JkiPYxFcsPE4NHF2dP2ERPsMXM2DfpV9g1W2CdzGoPDJTyPHCdkfL7kWEV94R_6GQAVOxfa/s1600/arepa+infografiaFinal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://pattgb.blogspot.ie/2014/09/arepas.html">http://pattgb.blogspot.ie</a> For the recipe and lovely illustrations <b><a href="http://pattgb.blogspot.ie/2014/09/arepas.html">see here</a></b></td></tr>
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<b>14. We have a German-style town famous for its food</b></div>
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A few kilometres away from the Caribbean sea, you won't expect to find a place like Colonia Tovar, a town founded in 1843 by a group of inmigrants from Baden (which then became part of Germany). The place, hidden by forests and mountains, remained virtually isolated for decades, allowing them to do their thing and keep it German. Venezuelans from all regions enjoy visiting this town and having sausages, strudel, strawberries, peaches, craft beers (they even have an Oktoberfest), and walking by the streets full of artisan food stalls. Some of the biggest producers even distribute their goodies to several cities in the country.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Colonia_Tovar_-_Iglesia_de_la_Colonia.JPG/800px-Colonia_Tovar_-_Iglesia_de_la_Colonia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Colonia_Tovar_-_Iglesia_de_la_Colonia.JPG/800px-Colonia_Tovar_-_Iglesia_de_la_Colonia.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colonia_Tovar_-_Iglesia_de_la_Colonia.JPG">https://commons.wikimedia.org</a></td></tr>
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<b>15. Our cuisine is one of the most diversely influenced in the world</b></div>
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Besides the native South American heritage, mixed with African and Spanish during colonial times; Venezuelan food grew richer in influences than many other cuisines: Brittish, French, Dutch and even Indian and Chinese foods arrived with the gold rush and the exchange with Caribbean colonies. Then, the American way became fashionable when oil was discovered (what a coincidence) and, after WWII, thousands of Italians, Polish, French and other European immigrans brought their influences to the place and made it their new home. So there's a bit of every thing here.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://granbouquet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Desayuno-Criollo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://granbouquet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Desayuno-Criollo.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://granbouquet.com/categorias/desayunos/">http://granbouquet.com</a><br />
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So, long story short, our food is flavourful, non-spicy, multicultural, oddly sweet, and usually formed by tropicalized versions of dishes that have been here for so long that have become locals. By the way, have you tried arepas? What did you think?</div>
Aerogabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02836299123070821008noreply@blogger.com2