A Seven Wonder: Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer

by Jamie Rhein on

When found out about what made the 7 Wonders of the World cut in Iva’s post. I was reminded about award ceremonies where the best movies are chosen. So much depends on emotional responses. Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer seems to have that certain emotional appeal. Of all the winners, it’s the only statue. Buildings, although spectacular and amazing, don’t necessarily give a warm fuzzy feeling.

A statue is different. According to this write-up, Christ the Redeemer represents warmth and openness. I can see that. It’s interesting to note that the statue was created by French sculptor, Paul Landowski after it was designed by Brazilian Heitor de Silva Costa. The Statue of Liberty, one of the contest loosers and a statue of sorts, was also made by a Frenchman. Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi‘s creation was given as a gift in 1886.

Another thing I noticed which has really no bearing on anything is that Christ the Redeemer was finished in 1931 in the throes of The Great Depression when life was an economic disaster in the United States and much of Europe. Here’s a link to various views and directions for how to get up to the statue. I chose this Flickr photo because of the composition. Great job Oberto.

Americano To Go (Away from Forbidden City)

by Iva Skoch on

Following up on Neil’s post, the Starbucks in Forbidden City is in fact, closing. The Chinese have gathered 500,000 signatures that caused the management to shut it down.

Is that good or bad news?

Tim Footman of The Guardian expresses a concern in his column today that “in a global market of implied cultural signifiers, absolutely any product – even a cup of mediocre coffee – seems to have the potential to challenge socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

He points out what we all know: it is not coffee that Starbucks sells. They sell “a lifestyle, a feeling, a brand, a corporate reimagining of bohemian leisure.” Although the Chinese are perfectly willing to sell the fancy coffee, they refuse to sell the name and lifestyle. It was either changing the name or closing shop.

If you change the name, you end up with mediocre coffee. Closing shop, I guess, made perfect sense.

Independence Days Abound: A Quiz

by Jamie Rhein on

July is an Independence Day gold mine. I was looking through my International Calendar published by the Madison, Wisconsin Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group when I saw the wealth of July flag waving opportunities.

Some celebrations have already passed, but there are plenty left where you can look for parades, speeches and possible frolic. To brush up on your Independence Day history, here’s my “Name the Country that a Country Gained Independence From Quiz ” Answers are on the read more page. You can also click on this link for more independence facts.

  • Burundi & Rwanda, July 1.
  • Belarus, July 3
  • Venezuela, July 5
  • Cape Verde, July 5
  • Algeria, July 5
  • Comoros, July 6
  • Solomon Islands, July 7
  • Argentina, July 9
  • Bahamas, July 10
  • Kiribati, July 12
  • Columbia, July 20
  • Liberia, July 26
  • Maldives, July 26
  • Peru, July 28
  • Vanuatu, July 30
  • Burundi & Rwanda- Belgium in 1962
  • Belarus, July 3 –
  • Venezuela, July 5- Spain in 1811
  • Cape Verde, July 5- Portugal in 1975
  • Algeria, July 5- France in 1962
  • Comoros, July 6- France in 1975
  • Solomon Islands, July 7- United Kingdom in 1978
  • Argentina, July 9, Spain in 1816
  • Bahamas, July 10, United Kingdom in 1973
  • Kiribati, July 12, United Kingdom in 1979
  • Columbia, July 20, Spain in 1810
  • Liberia, July 26 in 1847
  • Maldives, July 26 in United Kingdom in 1965
  • Peru, July 28, Spain in 1821
  • Vanuatu, July 30, United Kingdom and France in 1980

Topaz Japanese Internment Camp Joins Others as National Historic Landmark

by Jamie Rhein on

If you’ve ever read the novel Snow Falling on Cedars or seen the movie, perhaps you remember the scenes that took place in a Japanese internment camp. I recall David Guterson’s prose about the dust and wind that whipped through the camp where one of the main characters and his family were taken during WWII. The internment camps that were set up in the United States to house 120,000 Japanese-Americans after the Pearl Harbor attack are still evident in the buildings and barbed wire that remain. Most of the buildings are gone, however.

When I read about the Topaz Internment Camp becoming a National Historic Landmark, I thought about those scenes. Because of its national historic status, what’s left of the camp will remain as a witness to this piece of American history. The dedication ceremony was on June 30 and now the camp is a museum. Here’s a news clip of the dedication day. The footage includes interviews with former detainees and historic film clips. If you click on the photo you’ll go to normaltoilet’s Flickr page where other photos and descriptions are posted. You’ll also be able to read the sign better.

Six of the other ten internment camps are designated as National Historic Landmarks as well.

The Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho is part of the National Park System.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of July 8

by Adrienne Wilson on

Time for another week of random picks from the bloggers here at Gadling. Saddle up, simmer down and go solo on the slow train if you must.

5. Albertan Cowboy Culture: Where’s the Real Old West These Days?:
When my mind conjures images of cowboys on the open range or prairie searching for the type of things cowboys go looking for I don’t imagine them in Canada. This could just be me, but thanks to Martha the cowboys in my daydream have a new home in Alberta. Some are a little commercialized and others a bit more authentic, but you’ll have to read further for the details.

4. Why Trains Suck in America:
I’ve never taken a train in America. Have you? Ever wonder why so many Americans don’t? See why Neil thinks train transportation is basically dead in the U.S.

3. The Best U.S. Cities for Singles:
It’s summer time in the city and you’re single. Find out which city has the most singles and mosey on over to find your better half. That’s if you don’t like being single for the summer and all.

2. A Canadian in Beijing: Reverse Culture Shock:
Goodbyes and readjustment can be a tough job to tackle after a long excursion abroad. Ember hasn’t been home long and already she is back on the road touring with her band. Check out this last post in her series and find out where you can keep tabs on her future jaunts.

1. The “Wonders of the World” Votes are in!:
The world has made its final decision and the new seven wonders of the world are…