Bert's Travels

To Howard Carson and the Vice Bishop of Gurk.

2012-03-21T11:03:00.001+01:00

"Once, some time ago, I had a problem with the Vice Bishop of Gurk....but that's a long story.

You are right, Howard, the more often I now read this line, the more it sounds, as you suggested, like the opening line of a Monty Python sketch. And I too now laugh about it.
I think that I now owe you an explanation for this funny line:

In several regions of Austria, in particular in Carinthia and Tirol, but also in some regions in Germany, there is the custom of the "Fastentuecher" or loosely translated, the "Lenten Veils"...(sometimes they are also referred to as "Hungertuecher, (hunger veils)"
In the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, Roman Catholic Churches in the above described areas, while observing a Fasting period (Lenten) will hang a "Tuch" (Cloth) over the Altar, so as to prevent the "repentant sinners" to see the Altar, containing the Tabernacle...
This custom started in the 11th Century. At that time the Altar was hidden by a simple sack cloth. Later the cloth was finely woven material and hand painted by local artists, with scenery from the bible, so that the largely illiterate congregation could learn the history of Christianity through these pictures.
(You can learn more about this custom, by googling "Fastentuecher")
So now comes the "Monty Python Sketch"
I decided to photograph as many of these "Lenten Veils" and for this purpose I travelled to 9 or 10 churches.
One of them is the Cathedral of Gurk (Google will tell you about this church). As always I photographed without a flash, so as not to disturb other persons meditating there.
The Lenten Veil in Gurk is particularly interesting since it contains many squares depicting Christian history.
I am quietly going about my business, when a group of tourists enters through a side door. They are examining a side altar. A lady peels away from the group, and with the nastiest of voices, not at all becoming the christian, "love thy neighbour" teachings, orders me to immediately cease and desist my "pagan activity".
I turn to Christin and ask her: "Who is this lady?", whereupon Christin smiles and answers: "A busybody."
I ignore the nice Christian Lady and continue taking pictures of this Lenten Veil. "Busybody" prances off and disappears through a side door. Minutes later, I am still taking pictures, she re-appears with the most ludicrous looking apparition. A Man, at least 6'6" weighing not less than 250kgs, dressed in a floor length black caftan like entire body engulfing dress. With eyes blazing he orders me to stop taking pictures at once. I ask him: 'Who are you? the Mesner?" ( A Mesner is the Church maintenance man, cleaner, and general factotum)
He ignores my question and now he goes a step further: "Leave this Church at once" he shouts loudly.
I reply very quietly that I thought this was "God's House" and if He ordered me to leave I would do so, but not if the "Mesner" tells me to leave.
He is quite obviously incensed at my second reference to his status. I turn from him and very deliberately take some more shots. He turns red in the face (now you have to imagine a black mountain with a red head on top)
and again quite loudly tells me that if I take one more picture he will take my camera from me.
I turn away, and very quietly take 4 more, completely unnecessary shots in the opposite direction of the Lenten Veils. I was, I admit provoking him to the nth degree. He grabs my camera strap and pulls on it.
I asked him not to do this, since I would otherwise have to lay a charge against him for assault.
He stops pulling on the camera strap, when a man comes from the group of tourists, approaches us and in a very quiet voice informs me that he is an off-duty police officer and that he now places himself "on duty". He shows me "his badge" (I ain't got no badge, I don't need no stinkin' badge.These words were not uttered then)... Anyway he shows me his badge and informs me with a very quiet voice that this gentleman is the Vice Bishop of the Cathedral of Gurk and totally within his right to order me to leave the church.
Please, he says, you have taken your pictures, please leave now, so that I need not escort you out of this building..
By this time, Christin has fled the scene and I find her in the Vestibule, crying with laughter....
The Police Officer, a very nice man, and I have a nice little chat, he wanting to know why I spoke to the Lady (Christin) in English. I tell him that I am a Canadian Citizen and that I am here on a visit, taking home with me very good impressions of Austrian Off Duty Cops, but very poor impressions of Austrian "Vice Bishops".
We have a good laugh, shake hands and Christin and I leave this House of God, from which I was evicted by the Vice Bishop and an Off-Duty Cop.
So there, dear Howard, is truly the makings of a Monty Python sketch.
(Shortly thereafter the Vice Bishop was demoted (not because of this instance) and transferred as a simple Priest to a small country community.)
See images below taken at great risk to my body and soul.

Can anybody give me a quick absolution?
Bertstravels.

The Cathedral of GURK in the Province of Carinthia, Austria

2012-03-21T10:07:00.001+01:00

The "Fastentuch" (The Cloth of Fasting)
hides the Altar of the Cathedral of Gurk
as well as many other churches in Carinthia and Tirol.

A closer look at this "Cloth of Fasting"
in Gurk.

Another "Fastentuch" hiding the Altar in the
Abbey church of Millstadt, Carinthia.

LONDON, a wonderful town.....

2012-03-16T16:27:00.000+01:00

It is astonishing what you can do in London in 6 days when you are young and vigorous....

We arrived at Heathrow airport at about 3 PM on the 8th of March and proceeded to our hotel.

A 4 star property owned and operated along with several others by my former client and now friend, Shiraz.

In our room awaited us a lovely arrangement of flowers, a bottle of Champagne, one of Red wine, a Delicatessen tray, as well as a bowl of fruit. All this was a token of the hospitality of Shiraz and his wife, Shamin. A hospitality which we enjoyed for the next 6 days.

The weather was cloudy and cool, when on the next morning we took a boat ride along the Thames from the Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge and back again. There is history along this river, which goes back almost 2000 years.

You can walk and walk and each 100 meters or so there is something else of keen interest to see, photograph and talk about.

Let me not bore you with a day to day description of our activities, but let me just tell you that we visited the church of St. Martin in the Field where an "eclectic choir" sang at a "Candle light Vespers"...

In the "Royal Albert Hall" we saw and heard an absolutely wonderful performance of Verdi's "Aida".

It was performed in the costumes of its time and place, but beautifully framed by silent scenes of a relatively modern "archaeological excavation" during which artifacts were found which then played a role in the actual Opera. This was in no way intrusive, but, in fact, was so cleverly arranged that it felt as if it actually belonged to the Opera. The Voices were stunningly beautiful and the acting superb.The music was performed by the Royal London Symphony Orchestra... You can't get it much better... Can you?

Westminster Abbey is an absolute "Must" for any visitor to London. There is more history in this place than you can shake the proverbial stick at. Every square foot of every wall features History (spelled with a capital H)...

The Abbey was founded in the 10th Century and it seems as if every King and Queen, every Duke and Earl was buried there, along with Generals and Explorers.

Naturally Photographing is strictly prohibited within the Abbey. Many "information guides" clad in red, green or blue gowns make sure that you don't use your camera. It's not just that you may not use a camera flash, which I could understand since it would be disturbing to have 100s of flashes pop off all around you, but there is a total photographing prohibition.

I carried my D300 over my left shoulder. I had set the 'mode' to "P" fully automatic program, the ISO to 3,200 the lens to 18mm and when I saw something worth a shot or two, I pointed the camera in the approximate direction of the subject, while I looked into the other direction and clicked the shutter.

Quite frankly, I did not expect great photography, but some of the shots came out quite well. Well composed,

beautifully exposed... and I never got caught.

So, down along this Blog I post several of these images, taken in this rather unorthodox way.

In the National Theater we saw Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors"... beautifully acted...in a modern setting... unfortunately I had a hard time understanding much of the dialog.

Then we saw the Chelsea Football Club play against Stoke City F.C.in the Chelsea stadium, fully packed.

Although a low scoring game, (1:0 for Chelsea ) it was exciting from opening to closing whistle.

Our host Shiraz owns a box there. Quite frankly: That's the way to see a soccer game.

In the "Tate Modern" Art Gallery an exhibition by Boetti was on display. Don't ask me ...

look him up on Google....

When is the next plane leaving for London?

Bertstravels would like to be on.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

2012-03-16T14:14:00.001+01:00

Christin, Shiraz, Shamin, Maureen and John.
(unfortunately I forgot the name of the young man
who is one of the care-givers for Shiraz.)

Christin with our hosts: Shiraz and Shamin

Shamin and Christin are puzzling over the betting slips.
Shamin put 2 pounds on Chelsea to win:
Christin predicted a draw...
with a little bit of luck she could have been right.

Who is this handsome young man with Christin ???

CHELSEA (1) vs STOKE CITY(0)

2012-03-16T13:59:00.001+01:00

Chelsea in their traditional "blue and white" home strip,
today's opponents, Stoke City, in their 'away strip' Red and White stripes.
Although low scoring, it was an exciting game with much
at stake for Chelsea

Great goal keeping held the score low.
Chelsea needed a win to remain in contention.
1:0 is a win.
The well behaved crowds went home happy.

THE WESTMINSTER ABBEY

2012-03-16T13:45:00.001+01:00

I would like to have a penny for every photo ever taken of this
particular view of "Westminster Abbey" (Not to be confused with
Westminster Cathedral)

The interior of this Abbey is absolutely stunning.
There is, I said to Christin, History on literally every square inch.
It is, of course, strictly forbidden to take photographs.
Male and Female guards are everywhere to politely enforce this rule.

Along every wall there are 'sacophargs' and coffins made of stone
or metal. Every King, and Queen, every Earl, Count, General and
other military or civilian heroes, along
with everybody who was anybody lies burried in Westminster.

"AIDA" in the famous "Royal Albert Hall"

2012-03-16T13:22:00.001+01:00

The "Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences", although accoustically not
the greatest Opera House or Concert Hall, is, nevertheless,
a most popular venue for performances of all kinds.
Completed in 1871 it accommodates about 8000 persons.
We saw one of the greatest performances of Verdi's Aida.

It was refreshing to see an Opera in the costumes of Old
instead of in all modern clothing and setting, where the Pharao
would have been a Mafioso, entering not on a litter, but in an old Cadillac.
The "Palace Guards", instead of carrying spears and lanzes,
would have been armed withe sub-machine guns.

I enjoyed the performance immensely and I am certain
that Verdi would have been proud of it too.

LONDON, some images

2012-03-16T12:54:00.001+01:00

"Big Ben".
Probably the most famous clock tower and bell
forming the main attraction of "Westminster Palace."
At the end of Westminster Bridge is the memorial to Queen Boudicca

The "London Eye" a giant ferries wheel
takes 30 minutes for one whole revolution
and affords a wonderful view of the entire City.
The "Aquarium" at its base is well worth an extended visit.

The "Tower Bridge", one of the oldest bridges spanning the river Thames.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where the bard's plays are performed
in their original version: without sound= or light enhancements

Bert, writing about the Atomic Bomb??? Is he crazy ???

2012-03-06T09:39:00.000+01:00

Last Monday, 5th March 2012, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency spoke of "serious concerns" that Iran "might be hiding secret atomic weapons work."
Yuria Aman admitted that for the second time this month, Iran had refused the investigating team access to certain installations.
Any decision regarding sanctions to deter Iran from continuing its clandestine efforts to enrich its uranium supplies to reach fissionable standards, which might be arrived at by the IAEA, must go to the UN Security Council, where Russia and China block all efforts to urge Iran to "actively disprove the substantial doubt about the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program".
Does the above sound frighteningly "deja vu" ?
Have we not had the same, or similar circumstances not so long ago with Iraq and its then existing leadership?
The UN issuing its suspicions of Iraq's production of "Weapons of Mass Destruction"...
Iraq refusing access to its installations to the inspection team,
UN passing a resolution, permitting "all necessary means" .... and so on and so forth.
I hope that this time around, the UN and the EU will pull their own chestnuts out of the fire and not, like before, when the USA had to do the dirty work.
However, reading the statements issued by the President of the USA, Barak Obama, one might come to the conclusion that if the need arises, the USA will again be in the middle of the fray, since Europe is nothing much more than "talk, talk, talk" and when action is needed, they are nowhere to be seen.

Bertstravels.

"The ARTIST" the Best Film of 2011 ?

2012-02-29T16:07:00.000+01:00

"The Artist" was awarded 5 Oscars: Best Film, Best Direction, Best Male Lead, Best Music and Best Costume.
Let's just have a look at the first of these: "Best film"...
Was there really nothing better than this produced throughout 2011?
Let me say it right up-front: I think that "the Artist" was a "lightweight" as far as movie-production is concerned.
What an old tired tale it is: The Star of the Silent film Screen, who cannot or will not adjust to "The Talkies".
and the young, inexperienced acting-nobody who rises to the top of her profession, becoming everybody's darling. She is pretty, can sing a little, can dance a little, can even act a little and rises to the pinnacle of the movie-industry. Not only all of this, she also has "a kind heart" and in an auction buys everything the dumb actor had to sell so he would not starve to death.
The film does not deal with "why" the silent Screen Actor could not adjust to the talkies.
Depicted as simply a stubborn male who would rather face professional extinction than try out for the "New Era" of moviedom, he becomes a thoroughly unlikely and unlikable figure.
It is strange, to say the least, that the film's American producer, Harvey Weinstein, who spent a small fortune in a publicity campaign, without which this mediocre lightweight show would likely never have had even an "honorable mention" at the Oscars, was never mentioned during all the "Thank Yous".
Let us wait to see what the ticket-buying public has to say about this most "Oscar Undeserving" effort.

To whom should I talk to get my money back?
Bertstravels.

Is Spring really just around the corner?

2012-02-23T12:07:00.000+01:00

...or is Mother Nature just kidding us a little? The Sun is shining from a blue sky, the temperatures are around the +10 mark and the snow is melting from the roofs. Yes, the skiers are complaining but on high (atop the Petzen)
it's still pretty cold and there is loads of snow.
I, for one, am happy that there are the first signs of Spring in the air. I am not a skier, have never, not even in my youth in Austria, been a particularly good skier. In fact I never truly cared for it and therefore have never become any good at it. So, at my now not so young age, I would not grieve if Winter packed it in and went to "you know where".....
Come this May I expect to be in Canada, roaming around the Downtown area of Toronto and doing a little hiking in Algonquin Park. You cannot imagine how much I look forward to this time. 2nd May to 2nd June...
It won't be long enough. Quite frankly if it were not for Christin, I would be back in Canada in a flash.
There are several reasons for this and some other time, if you care, I will tell them all to you.
Greetings to all you lucky people...
Bertstravels.

'THE MAYOR' - "THE BUERGERMEISTER"

2012-02-23T11:50:00.000+01:00

MAYOR Stefan Visotschnig
with Secretary

The "Buergermeister" or "Mayor"
of Bleiburg
with a current and a future voter.

Kids too are having fun

2012-02-21T23:14:00.000+01:00

Some "Merry Go Rounds" were erected on the Main Square.
Traffic was re-routed and every child could ride as much
as it wanted.
NO CHARGE !!!

There are a lot of good looking little kids in this town.

Fun...fun...and fun again..
That's Bleiburg at "Fasching" time,
which, unfortunately, ended today.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday...
Time for "Herring" and other fish.

MORE BLEIBURG CARNIVAL

2012-02-21T23:00:00.000+01:00

do you know the last one in this conga-line?

How does one dance, hug or kiss with a car around your waist?

That's when you'd like to be 35 again...

KARNIVAL IN BLEIBURG

2012-02-19T16:52:00.000+01:00

It was a masked ball to which everybody showed up.
The Sports Club of Bleiburg sponsored this shinding of which
I took some 375 pictures.
To select 4 of them to show you on this Blog was not easy.
Maybe I'll show you some more.
Christin and I went home at 3AM.
( when you are young and vigorous, you can afford to do this)

Would you ever have expected to meet
Betty Rubble and Wilma Flintstone
in Bleiburg, South Carinthia?
Their respective husbands were also there.

CARNIVAL IN BLEIBURG

2012-02-18T19:59:00.000+01:00

the people of this small town surely know
how to have fun.

...when they say: "masked ball"
they mean business...

"Fasching" is almost over.
Today is "Fasching Saturday"
The Big Day is this coming "Fasching Tuesday"
There will be more carousing and having almost unbridled fun.

On "Ash Wednesday" everybody goes for fish dinner
and the "Lenten Period" the time of repentance
starts.

WINTER SCULPTURES

2012-02-10T16:05:00.000+01:00

These ice sculptures formed when the sun
shone onto the roof over our balcony.

The roof line runs on top of each of these images.
I cropped it out, leaving only the ice sculpture.

Maybe I should have given it a bit more contrast?

2012-02-10T16:03:00.000+01:00

OH CANADA...!!!!

2012-02-04T13:46:00.000+01:00

What a proud day for us Canadians !

Not only did Canadian Cross country skiers place First and Fourth in a grueling 23km long race in Rybinsk, Russia, but then, Jan Hudec of Canada comes down the mountain in Chamonix, on the second downhill race in two days, and in an incredible run he beats Romed Baumann of Austria and Eric Guay of Canada who placed second and third respectively. Get this: A downhill race in Chamonix, France. One of the longest downhills on the circuit. Everybody who is anybody in "Downhill" is there: Didier Cushe, Klaus Kroell, Bode Miller, Romed Baumann, Aksel Svindal... you name them, they are there... and two Canadians place 1st and 3rd.

If you talk "excitement", the Cross Country race in Rybinsk had it in spades. The lead changed constantly. First the favourite Russians (three of them) were in front, then a German, then a Canadian, then the Russian, then it looked for a while as if two Canadians were in first and second. In the final 100 meters or so the Canadian turned on the power and came in First Place, followed closely by a Russian and a German and then another Canadian.I am sorry, that I did not catch the names of the Canadian participants. I will google this race and will find out the names of the Canadian racers.

So there, enough of watching Sports on TV...enough for one day... or I.ll get square eyed.

Cold Greetings ( - 10 ) from Bertstravels.

Hurrah...it's snowing.

2012-02-04T11:20:00.000+01:00

In South Carinthia there has been NO snowfall to speak of this so-called winter. A few days ago it looked as if it would amount to something, but then it stopped, temperatures went to 7 above and that half centimeter was gone in no time. But since last night it has snowed. Gently, but persistently... there are at least 2 cm on the ground and, given the minus temperatures, they may stick around. Elsewhere in Austria there is more snow than they know what to do with. Some ski races had to be cancelled because of, believe me, "too much snow".
Since there really was no snowfall in November, December and January, I predicted that winter simply is starting later and will last well into April. I certainly hope that I am dead wrong.

Speaking of "Ski-races" there was a Lulu yesterday, in Chamonix, France. At a downhill race, the Austrian, Klaus Kroell placed First, one one hundredth of a second in front of the American, Bode Miller, then came Didier Cuche (Switzerland), in Third place, four one hundredth of a second behind. Another Austrian Romed Bauman shared 4th place with The Canadian Erik Guay, eight one hundredth of a second behind. A further Canadian, Jan Hudec placed 6th.
Now get this: The 15th placed racer crossed the finish line only 0.84 seconds behind the 1st placed .
There will be another Downhill in Chamonix today... Let's see if this one too will be such a nail biter.

Get out of my way, I'm coming downhill at top speed
Bertstravels

Atop the Petzen

2012-01-31T10:42:00.000+01:00

no comments needed

Just below the first slope there are three Restaurants..
Not much snow in the distant hills...

Some more of the same...

2012-01-31T10:36:00.000+01:00

Dancing in the Dark.....

around 10 PM some of Herwig's friends came
to celebrate New Years with us.

Dinner at Herwig's and Ingrid's Home

2012-01-31T10:28:00.000+01:00

David really liked this Jacket...
a present from Christin...

Dinner at the home of Herwig and Ingrid

Herwig is a true connoiseur of good wines....

There is always the Photographer who's missing...

Good soup and Good Parents

2012-01-31T10:20:00.000+01:00

What more does a girl want?

Makes you feel good....

Overwhelming Public Demand

2012-01-31T10:12:00.000+01:00

In response to overwhelming Public Demand (Lianne)
I am herewith posting more pix taken
during Steven's and his family's visit.

In this respect they still live in the Stone Age.
Real candles on a real tree.

I suppose lighting candles on a Christmas Tree
is somewhat of an unusual activity

A bit of a scrawny tree...

THE CANDIDATES FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY....

2012-01-27T11:52:00.000+01:00

...are truly a sad lot. Last night they had one of their debates in Jacksonville, Florida:
It seems to me that of the four contestants, only two, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are true contenders.
During this debate, Gingrich suggested that were he elected to the Presidency of the USA, he would build a permanent Moon base as part of a stable commercial industry of Space Exploration which would lead to a space activity boom. similar to the aviation boom in the 1930s. Furthermore he would develop Mars-research.
Of course, he said several other things, but this one made an impression on me:
I do not think that a country, struggling to get back on its economic feet, having lost its triple a rating, and recovering from some exceedingly expensive wars, and generally finding itself in dire financial straights, needs to spend hundreds of billions, maybe trillions of Dollars to build a Moon station and to explore Mars.
I, were I a voter in the USA, would not touch with a ten foot pole any candidate who proposes such a cockamamie idea at this time.
Both, Newt and Mitt, obviously played to the expatriate Cubans living in Florida in great numbers.
When asked by the Moderator, Wolf Blitzer, if he could see America getting involved in some military way in Cuba, Newt answered that "if there were a legitimate uprising we would of course be on the side of the people."
Mitt also suggested that he would "give no presents to Castro", and that he would punish any American company doing business in Cuba...
There had apparently been some discussion as to the final destination of Mr. Castro in the event of his death.
Romney allowed that he would be grateful that Castro was called back to his Maker, and Gingrich countered that he thought Castro would more likely end up in the other place.
Imagine something like this: Two men, both of whom would like to become the President of the United States, have nothing better to discuss than heaven or hell for Fidel Castro.
The only clever reply to the question of " What would you say if Raul Castro were to telephone you," came from Ron Paul: "I would ask him what he is calling about."
Then the candidates were given an opportunity to praise their wives, each of whom would, of course, make a wonderful First Lady of the USA.
What a stupid question to put to these four men. Did Blitzer really think that one or more of them would say something like: "Well, my wife would make a terrible First Lady. She is Dumb and Ugly...."
Immigration was a topic of discussion during which some heated exchanges took place, when Gingrich accused Romney of being "anti-immigration"...
Talk about pandering to the large Cuban-American population living in Florida

This 19th Debate makes me happy that I did not hear the preceding 18. I truly fear for the future of our neighbor to the South if either of these men should become their President.

The most accurate and sage comment in respect of this discussion actually came from Fidel Castro:
"The Republican contest for the Presidency of the United States of America is the "biggest contest in Stupidity and Ignorance I have ever heard."

Everybody who knows me is aware that I am no lover of Castro (Fidel and/or Raul) or the type of dictatorial government they run. Everybody who knows me also knows that, philosophically, I am somewhere in the middle between the Democrats and the Republicans. Both parties have given the USA some very good Presidents.
But having heard the level of discussions from those members of the GOP, makes me fervently hope that Barack Obama will be elected to a second term.

Too bad that "Bertstravels" has no say in this affair.

Skiing at its finest and Politics at its worst.

2012-01-25T19:53:00.001+01:00

I wish I had been in Schladming/Rohrmoos yesterday. Fifty thousand skiing fans were there to watch the "Night Slalom," part of the World Cup Races. I watched it on Television and kept telling myself that the poor suckers who paid a fortune to be there, see no "repeats", no "close-ups", no "Slow-motion" and certainly no "ultra slow-motion"... they are probably cold, and have no glass of Austrian White Wine to twirl between their fingers.
I had all the advantages. So why did I wish to be there ? Because there is a certain something to actually "being there", to feeling the excitement emanating from 50,000 fans, to hearing them roar their approval when one of their own came down like a Kamakazi fighter, down the steep part, hurtling himself between narrow set gates at incredible speeds.... to hearing the collective moan when one of their own "straddled" a gate or missed one altogether, or totally wiped out and "bit the snow"... and, believe me: this was a race that had everything.
If you are an Austrian, you had much to cheer about: Of the first 15 racers 5 carried the Red/White/Red into
1st, 3rd, 8th, 9th, and 13th place....
Italians were in 2nd, and 14th, there was a Croatian and many other Nationalities. 4th a Japanese in 5th, Ted Ligety of America placed 6th,... there were French, Swedish, Japanese, Canadians and many more countries.
It was, in other words, Good News for Austria.

Not so good News is coming Austria's way in other areas. The rating Agencies took away Austria's Triple A rating and gave it an AA+ with a negative outlook .
The politicians cannot agree on any measures to bring their financial house in order.
Bi Partisan Politics rules the "top heavy" Parliament.
Top heavy ?
Austria has 183 MPs, which means that they have one Member of Parliament for every 45,300 citizens, while Germany, for instance has one member for every 132.300 citizens.
At Germany's rate Austria could probably do with 63 MPs.Let us be generous and give them 83 MPs.
Thereby they would save the costs of 100 MPs.
Consider now the Salaries of 100 MPs, their Assistants, research and other service personnel, Secretaries, their office space, office equipment and so on and so forth.
Apply the same reduction ratios in all the Civil Service positions, their Commissions, Agencies and all the other duplicating Organisations and, (prove me wrong if you can) you would probably reach a "balanced budget" without increasing any taxes.
Instead of this, the Government commissions a study, finding some 24 areas in which to raise additional taxes.
What, of course, they should do is chase down the cheats on Income Tax, Sales Tax , the Tax evaders who ship their money to Liechtenstein and other tax havens. Such a move is not likely to happen, since the government officials themselves are heavily involved in such nefarious activities.
The only call for action one hears from most of the Government members is: "Tax the Rich"....

All this really proves is the abysmal poverty in ideas.

Bertstravels.

VOLLEYBALL IN BLEIBURG

2012-01-21T11:26:00.000+01:00

The new Volleyball Arena in Bleiburg features the teams
from Bleiburg and Minsk (Belorus.)
in an exciting match.

Unfortunately the Bleiburg team (gold shirts)
lost in three sets: 24;22;23;
A hard fought game watched by a full house
of enthusiastic fans.

During the winter months,
when there is no soccer to watch
I could actually become a Volleyball Fan.

I remember

2012-01-20T14:36:00.000+01:00

It is called the
"Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board"

MISMANAGEMENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE OCEAN...

2012-01-20T14:20:00.000+01:00

A few days ago I read about the "Employment Insurance Financial ....somethingorother )..." I don't remember the exact name and the article has disappeared from my CBC News page...
Let me just summarize and if I don't get it right, I hope somebody will correct me:
The Government established this Department in 2008 with the mandates 1.) to determine the amount of EI payable by employees and employers so that the EI fund should always be at a break even position, 2.) To wisely invest overages if any and 3.) to administer a fund of 2 Billion dollars which the government would place at this Department's disposal.
A CEO was hired who in turn hired a few other people into well paid positions. Offices were rented and furniture purchased... The Group was ready to roll; One small problem: They had nothing to do... Even their CEO admitted that the workload did not amount to the original intent. These are the reasons why:
1.) The Government froze the EI contributions for 2009 and legislated only minor increases for 2010 and 2011. The effect of course was, that the first mandate of this Department became unnecessary.
2.) Due to this Government largess, the EI fund now sports a deficit of about 8.8 billion Dollars, so there is no "Surplus to invest and manage"
3.) The Government never did provide the promised 2 billion dollars, so this third mandate to manage this amount also became impossible to fulfill.
The up-shot is simply this: This newly created Department has spent about 3.5 million Dollars over the last three years and had literally absolutely nothing to do.
Yet for 2012 wage increases have been budgeted as well as a move to larger offices. The move to larger offices has been justified by the "possibility" that financial experts may have to be hired in the future. The 2012 budget includes Can$ 200,000 for hiring a "Human Resources" expert... They have 2 employees!!!.. for this number of employees you need an HR person??? the budget also includes Can$300,000 to hire a Public Relations firm to assist in explaining to the Public the work to be performed. Since they have done Nothing over the past three years this should be an impossible, or very easy task.
And I always thought that the Harper Government governed Canada wisely and prudently and did not waste taxpayers money....
If I am all wrong about this, if the CBC has erred and/or I misread the CBC's news report, would somebody please explain the reality to me?
I fervently hope that all the above is wrong... it sounds a bit like an April Fool's Report.. doesn't it?

When I read in the Austrian Newspapers about all the shenanigans carried on by Austrian politicians, I always smile smugly... since this could not happen in my country, Canada... Well for this Canadian story and for the Canadian Government's refusal to admit this failure and to disband this group of leeches I need to wipe the smug grin off my face.
I am a Canadian Pensioner...
I need more money...
Could the Canadian Government please hire me?
I have become an expert in doing absolutely nothing.
So I would probably do a good job in this department, and I'd be satisfied with Can$ 500,000 per year.

Bertstravels.

This is W I N T E R ?????

2012-01-12T10:52:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was the 11th of January 2012 ! Normally we should be in the middle of winter, with the temperatures ranging around -10 Celsius and 3 feet of snow in the valleys and 6 feet or more on the mountain.
well, I am told that's what it's like in the Tirol and Vorarlberg and parts of the rest of the country. Here in southern Carinthia we have 0 feet of snow and the temperature is so mild, we had lunch on our balcony in shirtsleeves. Bleiburg, where I live, has the nickname of "The snow hole of Carinthia"... this year it certainly does not deserve this name. More like : "the Florida of Austria."

Finalized my bookings for London (8th to 14th March) and to Toronto (2nd May to 2nd June)
I am looking forward to both these trips. For the London trip I have enough points for both of us to fly free...? free ??? did I say Free??? Yes the flight is Free but the Taxes amount to more than the flight.. and they are not "Free"... They must be paid...
I had better not get started ranting and raving about Taxes... They are ridiculous in Austria.
Take a person earning about 5,000.00 Euros per month. A good salary, but not financial Paradise either...
Right off the top, the Government takes about 50%.... That leaves you with 2,500 Euros. Most of which you will spend on the necessities of live. Those carry a Sales Tax of 20%... So it can be said that you are actually spending 70% of your earnings in Taxes... This means, if my mathematics are correct, that you work for the Government including your Health Insurance Premium until the middle of August of every year. Is this not absolutely insane? But remember, I said that I would not get started talking about Taxes.... so let's not.
Hey... give the Prime Minister a nice raise....
Bertstravels.

01/01/2012 - 0.01 AM

2012-01-02T11:00:00.000+01:00

David and Christa at the New Year's Celebrations

Herwig and Ingrid
"The New Year's Kiss"

Steven and some of Herwig's Friends
toasting the New Year.

NEW YEAR'S at HERWIG'S AND INGRID'S

2012-01-01T15:19:00.001+01:00

For those who know them,
I don't need to name them...

and those who don't know them...
they don't care what their names are.

Dinner after skiing

2011-12-29T08:49:00.000+01:00

To Steven's right: Sabine, Christin's daughter in Law,
Left Foreground: Axel, Christin's Son.

To Sabine's right, her two sons, Johannes (11) and Jacob (9)

The Toastmaker

Dinner time

2011-12-29T08:41:00.000+01:00

One happy Granddad

2 happy people

Atop the Petzen -2-

2011-12-29T08:34:00.000+01:00

getting ready

not much snow other than man-made

Snowless Bleiburg down below

Atop the Petzen

2011-12-29T08:23:00.000+01:00

Christa, David, Steven and Janet

2011-12-28T15:18:00.000+01:00

Steven - Janet - David - Christa

2011-12-28T15:04:00.002+01:00

Insanity has come to life.

2011-12-22T16:26:00.000+01:00

There is a man in Austria whose name is Professor Erich Streissler.
The wonder is that he is a Professor of Economics.
He has come up with the most incredibly brilliant idea how Austria can repay its debts. Unfortunately this seems to be a case where the "cure" is worse than the "desease".
Even though the rating agencies still rate Austria as AAA, the country's debt is significant and everybody comes up with new ideas, except with the right one: The Socialist Party wants to "Tax the Rich". They have quite obviously not yet heard the story of the drop of water onto a hot rock, or as we say; A drop in a bucket... both sayings have the same meaning, which the Socialists have not yet figured out. The Conservatives want to raise all kinds of taxes and introduce many many new ones. That this will prevent any growth of the Economy is something the conservatives have also not yet figured out.
But back to Professor Streissler:
His brilliant idea is to simply "tax away" all interest paid by Banks on Savings Accounts. He figures that Austrians collectively have about 1,200 Billion Euros in Saving Accounts and he then indulges in some mathematics showing how fast the Debt of Austria could be retired.
Now I wonder: How long would it take me to transfer all my money which I have in an Austrian Bank to Canada? How long would it take any Austrian to transfer his/her funds from an Austrian Bank to a Bank in Germany, Swizzerland or any other of its neighbouring countries?
The run on the Banks by its depositors would likely make the run in 1928 onto American Banks look like a gentle stroll. Not a panicky run.
Professor Streissler is quoted: "Who needs Interests on their Savings?"
And this strange fellow calls himself and is called by others a "Professor of Economics"
God help Austria....

I have another idea which Professor Streissler would probably like:
"Who needs Savings ?"
Why not grab the 1,200 Billion Euros and pay all Debts?

Bertstravels.

FRANZ BRANDL, Painter

2011-12-17T12:58:00.000+01:00

Franz Brandl is a Painter, living in Bleiburg, Austria.
For ever inventive, one never knows
what he will come up with next.
He had a vernissage last night, exhibiting 30 of his latest works.

"At the Railway Station"

"Just One chair for All"

"The Lady in Red"

The Hills beyond

2011-12-03T20:19:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago, I drove my car way into the back country,
grabbed my cameras and hiked into these hills.
I saw a little bird here and there, but altogether it was
a most uneventful hike, when all of a sudden...
there he stood... a rack to be proud of, a girlfriend by his side
and putting the lie to all who called him "extinct in this area."
( see next entry )

A Stag and a Doe in the Hills

2011-12-03T20:12:00.000+01:00

I was lucky to photograph the animal
which everybody said that it no longer exists
in our forests.

A mighty fine rack you carry, my friend.

Too busy to Blog

2011-12-01T13:06:00.000+01:00

Well, it's been a long time since I last wrote something on this site. I have a perfectly reasonable explanation:
"I am writing a book"
.... doesn't everybody write a book? Well if not, you should. It's a wonderful excercise and keeps your mind fresh. What's the book about? You will have to wait until it is published and wins the Nobel Price for Literature.
You know what burns me? From a number of e-mails I know that there are some people who have been following this effort of mine... but rarely does anybody leave a comment on the Blog itself.
Due to my long silence it's likely that I've lost even those few readers, both in Canada and in Austria.
I even have a reader in the USA and New Zealand, who e-mails me with his comments on a regular basis.
Yes about my book: I've reached page 130 and who knows how much more I shall write....
So, till the next time I have a few minutes to spare...
Greetings from Austria.

Have you got some ointment for my typing fingers?
Bertstravel.

IT'S WAKE-UP TIME !!!!!

2011-11-16T11:37:00.003+01:00

All of a sudden the Austrian Government is waking up to the fact that a country cannot just go on spending money it doesn't have. The mountain of debt is higher than the Grossglockner (Austria's highest mountain) and is becoming more and more difficult to climb. Up to now the country plowed merrily along as if it expected some good fairy to wave a magic wand and make everything Okay again.
The much despised Rating Agencies have sofar rated Austria with their highest positive rating: AAA...
There is now, however the possibility that this may change and panic is breaking out in Vienna.
PURE PANIK IN THE CHANCELLORY is one of the news headlines. Government leaders are falling all over themselves with issuing "Saving Plans"... these are of course strictly in accordance with the political direction of each of the Parties: "Tax the Rich" scream the Socialists, "Increase Retirement Age" suggest the Conservatives. "Sell some Government Properties" suggest others...
Maybe all three suggestions and some others should be not only talked about, but actually implemented.

I am far from a Socialist, but I must agree that what the "Rich" have been able to accomplish with the perfectly legal institution of a "Stiftung" is inexcusable. The amounts of moneys they succeed in depositing there, as well as in Tax free off shore havens, is beyond belief. Why should it be possible for a very rich person to pay, percentage-wise, less tax than a regular earner?

The possibility of retirement at age 58 places a financial strain onto government koffers which is totally unreasonable. Why should a 58 year old, in perfect health, be entitled to a Pension ? Well, they say, we paid into this retirement fund and now we draw from it. The numbers, unfortunately, do not correspond. More and more of the moneys required for pension payments must be drawn from 'General Revenue'...

An unbelievable 10% of all Government spending disappears into the maw of the Austrian Railroad.
There are trains running daily on routes with nary a passenger in them. ( from Bleiburg to Klagenfurt, often observed, 5 railroad cars and 5 passengers is not an efficient way to operate a transportation system.)
The Railroad must be sold to private interests to be operated efficiently.
All the feather bedding demanded and obtained by the Labour Unions simply must be abolished.
Civil Service must be reduced, as must be the number of politicians serving in 4 to 5 levels of Governments.
There are so many other things which "must be done" that this little article would become a book of major proportions.
What does it take to accomplish this?
A democratically elected government with Guts.
Political Parties which do not fight each other to the death, just because they follow different political ideologies. There are pragmatic realities which transcend political ideas.

Every Housewife knows that she can spend only as much money as the family earns, or they soon will be on the dole.
Every businessman knows that he has to watch his "bottom line" and not allow it to slip into the "Red" as otherwise he will face bankruptcy.
Why do Governments not know this simple truth? Because they can always raise Taxes, thereby securing an income without an end... or so they think... They can always borrow money from their own citicens or from other countries... raise taxes and borrow.... both of those are not unlimited sources of funds: The Taxpayer will only remain viable up to a certain limit of taxation, and borrowing has an Interest factor attached to it and the sad truth that borrowed funds must be paid back some time. And if you tell me that a country can always borrow funds from country B to pay back the debt it ows to Country A, then please consider that this is called "Kiting" ... and there too is a limit to how high the "kite" can fly.
Austria, America, Canada, and any other country you may want to name, can, in the long run, only spend what it earns, or, like Greece, it will have to go bankrupt.

The Rating Agencies have Austria under their microscope !

So, as I said at the outset: "There is Pure Panic in the Chancellory"

Hey, can you lend me a Euro ? I'll pay you back some payday.

Bertstravels

Remember Michel Barnier ???

2011-11-15T17:03:00.002+01:00

Michel Barnier is a French politician, serving in the European Union (E.U.) as "Binnenminister"....
Excuse my ignorance, but what does a "Interior Minister" (my translation) actually do?
Well, Michel is heard from every now and then, when he calls for the "Smashing", "Controlling" and now "Curtailing" of the Rating Agencies, Moody's, S&P, and Fitch. In the beginning he wanted them "smashed" (read my eralier Blog) then he became less belligerant and demanded only that they be "controlled" and now he is again on record that these three private companies, operating under the laws of the U.S.A., with offices in the USA, engaged in the reporting of the financial reliability of large Companies, and Countries must be "curtailed".
At first Good Old Barnier screamed that these rating Agencies are a tool of the American Government to undermine the value of the Euro. The fact that a reduction in value of the Euro can only be achieved by the economic activities of European Nations, and that such a reduction in values would make it more and more difficult for American Manufacturers to sell their goods in Europe, would as it is, be counter productive to American interests, made no difference to Barny (as in Rubble).
When, much to the dismay of the Government of the USA, one of these Agencies down graded the American rating from a triple A to a doubleA+ took much of the wind out of Barny's sails, not much was heard from this scatter brain for a while.
Now he has surfaced again in the press. He insists that the "rules of the game" under which rating agencies operate must be substantially altered in Europe. The financial standing of a "European Crisis State"
(such as Greece and Italy and...and...and...) must not be reported for two months.....
For two whole months the truth must be forbidden to be revealed to investors and creditors. For two months we all have to pretend that the financial strength of, say Portugal is in fine shape, and that they deserve a good rating, when it is in fact known by the country itself and the rating agencies that they are close to bankruptcy.... or at least on the way to tough financial times.
Barny wants now to introduce legislation in the EU enabling a falsely rated entity, to be able to sue the rating agency. As all rating Agencies consist of "people", they can, of course, make mistakes. When the USA was downgraded they screamed bloody murder that the assumptions taken by the Agency were wrong.
The Agency simply said: Show it to us where we were wrong and we shall correct the rating. It never happened...
I am certain that if a demonstrably wrongly rated entity sustained damage, and they likely would, if only by the increase in interest payable on their debt, such a Country or company would have the possibility for redress in the international courts.
I can just see a bevy of lawyers gleefully rubbing their hands in anticipation of huge fees in case of such suits.

We all now know from varying reports about the slip-shod manner in which Greece, for instance, was governed. Imagine what might have happened to investors, had they still believed in a good credit rating for this country for an additional two month?

At first "Smashing" then "Controlling" and now "Curtailing" all rating agencies.

I cannot understand what drives Barny. Why is he so afraid that the truth regarding the economic tustworthiness of European Countries is told?
I read nowhere that he complained when S&P downgraded the USA.

But to tell the truth about Europe????
don't you dare.

Bertstravels.

MY HAND

2011-11-15T12:26:00.000+01:00

This is my hand after one month of healing.
It had taken 18 stiches to close the gap.
A good deal of new skin has formed.
The Doctor told me today that it'll be a while before
I can play on the Austrian Volley Ball Team again.

MADISON VIOLET

2011-11-14T12:24:00.000+01:00

Lisa MacIsaac (above) and
Brenley MacEachern (below )
from Canada
came to Bleiburg and in front of a full house
of enthusiastic listeners performed a melange of
their own compositions and standards of
the Country, Folk and Pop genre.

A beautiful bass line was layed down
by the third member of this Trio,
Bassist Adrian Lawryshyn.

Soccer in Bleiburg

2011-11-08T09:35:00.000+01:00

...just a few snap shots taken
during a game against Voelkermarkt

3:3

Late Fall around Bleiburg

2011-11-05T10:02:00.001+01:00

...went for a drive in the country side in the hills around Bleiburg.
Although the leaves never turn as bright red as they do in Canada
it's still a pretty sight.

Best when viewed in the large format.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS ?

2011-11-02T14:22:00.000+01:00

There is the ship: It's called TITANIC. The Captain knows that it is heading for a collision with an iceberg.
He gives the order to wake all passengers so they may vote on what is to be done.
Of course they know nothing about operating a ship.
They are all disgruntled and sleepy eyed.
So they flip a coin... some say: "Full Steam Ahead", while the rest opt for "Reverse Engines at Full Power."
Does this sound familiar?
Just replace the "Titanic" with "Greece" .... you got it ?
Pretty dam unbelievable ain't it?
Hand me a Drachma, so I can give the Captain a tip.
bertstravels.

When uncertain, remain silent.

2011-10-28T12:08:00.000+02:00

Well, I read the CBC report on Rob Ford's alleged use of un-mayor-like language and I wrote a little comment about it. Then I read some more about it and things no longer seemed as clear. I therefore deleted my entry on the principle that "If you remain silent, you may be thought a fool, but if you open your mouth and talk nonsense you will remove all doubt."
Would anybody clear this up for me?
But before that: Hand me a ballot with a hanging ..... (what were they called? Chad??? )
bertstravels

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same....

2011-10-26T12:54:00.000+02:00

One of the reasons why Martin Luther split from the Catholic Church, as I understand it, was this abominable practice of Blackmail practiced by the Church of Rome upon its downtrodden believers: For payment of sums of money it was possible to buy your way out of the fires of purgatory. The number of years "out of purgatory" was in direct relationship with the amount of money you gave. Some poor sods gave all they posessed, including the farm and lands in order to leave purgatory 100,000 years earlier. And the church, knowing full well that this was nonsense blackmailed its believers mercilessly.

It is common knowledge that many, if not most Catholic Priests break the law of celibacy on a daily basis.
The women with whom they share their beds are referred to as their "housekeeper".

Bishop Egon Kapellari of Graz now has come up with a truly Catholic solution to this problem:
Priests who break the law of celibacy should make a voluntary financial contribution, "maybe to the starving population of this world". Such a "voluntary contribution" should be of an amount which is "painful" to the individual Priest. The Bishop does not define the concept of "painful" since, I suppose, he understands that it is different for different Priests. A Priest who has five children to support needs more money than one who has only one child. Therefore the level of "pain" is reached sooner in one case than the other.

Egon expresses his belief that after such a voluntary contribution, the sinning Priest will be able "to breath freely again"... He does not say, however, how long such "freely breathing" may last. When the guilty conscience again weighs heavily upon the soul of the sinner, another "almost painful contribution" may become neccessary. Should this, maybe, become an annual payment, or should it be left to the individual Priest and his feeling of guilt? Probably, for simplicity's sake the payment could be made directly to the church who then may decide which of the world's starving population should be supported.

At the outset I said that Kapellari has come up with a truly Catholic solution.

Because since day One, the Catholic Church has played the game of "the guilty sinner". And a person who feels guilty can be easily controlled and blackmailed. And it truly was never an issue of "Souls and Forgiveness" but it was always an issue of "Control" and "Money"...

Our good Bishop assures us that he will not issue a table of "tariffs" and that he will not want to check into the amount an individual Priest has in fact paid. If, however, a promise is broken, there is one's own conscience to be dealt with.
Then, in true double speak fashion, he assures us that this payment has nothing to do with "indulgence", with paying your way out of Purgatory, but is only one step for the sinning Priest to be able to "breath freely" again.
What, dear Bishop, exactly is the difference between "Paying your way out of Purgatory" and "Breathing Freely Again" ?
If you would like to explain this to me, you may reach me under

bertstravels.

P.S. I have a better suggestion for the sinning Priest, than Bishop Kapellari.
Go to Confession.... it works and it's a lot cheaper...

The Turtle and the Duck

2011-10-22T10:23:00.001+02:00

Every now and then I dig in my old pictures.
These two were taken in the Courtright Centre, just North of Toronto.
Says the turtle:
" Get off my log, you Mallard, you."

Says the Duck:
"I got time, I can sit here till the paint pales on you,
you Painted Turtle you."

The Reality of the Kyoto Protocol (as I see it )

2011-10-22T10:06:00.000+02:00

The Kyoto Protocol, signed in 2005, is an effort to fight Global Warming.
37 countries have committed themselves to reduce emissions of "Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Sulphur Hexafluoride" to prescribed levels.
Only the USA have refused to sign this protocol. Asked for the reason for this refusal, President George W. Bush replied that, although he took global warming very seriously, he opposed the Kyoto Treaty because it excempts 80% of the world and had set goals, the achieving of which, if at all possible, would seriously damage the economy of the USA.
At this point it is interesting to note that not one of the 37 signatories to this laudable undertaking has achieved its goals, inspite of the possibility of "Credits". This means that if Country A invests money in the reduction efforts of country B, country A may take credit for the resulting reduction. This, on the surface is a good thing. "The World" according to Baha U' LLah "is but one country and mankind its citicens."
One has to accept that "Global Warming" is indeed a global problem and therefore the exact location where it is prevented is of no importance. If Austria, f.i. funds a change from a coal fired industry to a gas fired one in an African country, the subsequent reduction in emission of CO2 is of benefit to the global community. Therefore, Austria should receive the credit for it.
Inspite of all of this, not one country has achieved its objective.
What, if this sample African country has a corrupt government, (and we have heard of some) the question arises how much of the money is earmarked for the private pockets of its leadership? So, how do we control and account for the supposed "Credit"?
Each farmer's cow is a Methane production plant. How do we stop cows from farting? A cork in their rear end?

Hey, let's put on our collective thinking cap.
We have to come up with some workable idea.

bertstravels.

Hi there, it's Barnie back again... you remember, Barnie from the E.U.

2011-10-21T21:24:00.000+02:00

Remember some days ago I wrote about the E.U. Interior Trade Commissioner "Barnier" who along with the E.U. Finance Commissioner suggested that the American Rating Agencies must be "smashed" ?
Remember good old Barnie ? Well he's back again with another of his fabulous ideas:
This time these Rating Agencies must be "forbidden" to publish their ratings about any E.U. Country which is in difficulties. The Country may of course be permitted to get into financial difficulties by spending year after year after year more, much more money than they can raise through taxation of their poor citizens. That's Okay. But don't anybody dare to talk about it. Don't anybody dare to say: You keep amassing these deficits and subsequent debts, and your credit rating will suffer. Oh No, the "drunken sailor syndrome" must be hidden to make sure that international lenders don't know about it and keep on lending money to these spendthrifts who under no circumstances will be able to repay such a loan.
Barnie mellows his demand somewhat by suggesting that this reporting prohibition "could be temporary"...
Barnier suggests something which under any circumstance will be extremely difficult, if not impossible:
The European Union should, so he says, forbid an American private company to follow its legal undertaking.
Good Old Barnie, he must be the one with the Dunce Cap standing in the corner, has given us, once again, the benefit of his thoughtful mind.

Now a few observations about the circumstances in Greece.

If what I read in todays paper is true I can only shake my head and wonder how the leadership of a country can be so utterly stupid:
In order to increase its Income, the Greek Government has increased the income taxes of a family of five, earning a total of 25,000 Euros per annum from the earlier 390 Euros to a staggering 2,970 Euros. An increase of, get this, 661 %....
At the same time, the Income Taxes, payable by a married couple earning 100,000 Euros per annum, will increase from 31.600 to 32,420 Euros. An increase of a measly 2.6%.
How does anybody justify this? No wonder that in Athens the masses are on the streets again.
But something is curious about this whole "let's demonstrate and smash store windows and burn cars, even if we don't know whose store window it is or to whom the car belongs...... makes no difference, let's just riot...
and who is moving against each other more than anyone else? The Communist lead Labour Unions are battling agains the Anarchist Chaots.... Yes, you read this correctly: The Anarchists are fighting the Communists...

Only in Athens, you say ?
Bertstravels.

Religious Dialog? or "The Fox is in the Hen house"

2011-10-14T13:34:00.000+02:00

a few days ago i wrote about the "centre for religious dialog" planned for vienna and sponsored by the king of saudi arabia.
well, the official signing took place yesterday and the signatories were: Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, prince "saud al-faisal bin abdulaziz al-saud", the foreign minister of spain and austria's vice chancellor, michael spindelegger. everybody, who was anybody, held a speech in which the most often used words were: dialog, peace, tolerance, understanding.
it was almost a feeling of "alice in wonderland" to hear these very words out of the mouth of the saudi arabian prince.
the austrian journlists coul not be bamboozled this easily: samuel Laster asked the prince if he, as a jew could now come to saudi arabia, and have his wife drive him to a synagog. the prince's answer came quickly and tersly: "there are no jews in saudi arabia nor any synagogs." he neglected to mention that if his wife drove the car, she woul likely be arrested and whipped or jailed. he further made no mention of the fact that other religions, such as christianity could not be practiced, or that the death penalty loomed over any S.A. citizen, who changed from islam to another faith.
in his address mr. spindelegger spoke of the declaration of human rights and religious freedom,
the saudi prince allowed that he accepted the principles of the united nations.
another pesky journalist then asked how the prince could reconcile this acceptance with the fact that these fundamental rights are not present in saudi arabia.
the answer from the prince: "i hope that the centre for religious dialog will take leadership in this area."
well, we can all hope that this truly will foster tolerance and religious understanding all over the world, including Saudi Arabia.

(due to injury, typed with one hand )

This is truly hard to believe !

2011-10-11T19:42:00.000+02:00

Greece, the cradle of Democracy, the birth place of Socrates, Plato and many other important thinkers is broke. Yes, GREECE IS BROKE !!!
The other members of the European Union tried to avoid this disaster and gave Greece 65 Billion Euros.
Yes this is 65 BILLIONS OF EUROS, or about 91 Billion Dollars. Quite a chunck of money, wouldn't you say? None of it will ever likely be paid back.
This turned out was like pouring a bucket of water into the sands of the Sahara.
Now, one wonders, how can such a thing come about? There are, of course, a number of reasons: Not the least of which is the fact, that the Greek Government has been spending money like a shipload of drunken sailors: One Example:
This past June, the then Greek Minister of Labour, Louka Katseli, allowed that there are at minimum 4,500 Civil Servants receiving unjustified Pensions, although many of them have died several years ago.
Beginning this past July and until the end of September, the IKA, Greece's largest Government operated Pension Plan asked all recipients of Pension payments to re-register.
898,643 Pensioners did so.
109,421 Pensioners have disappeared without a trace, even though they collected their monthly payments faithfully. Are they dead? How long have they been dead?
At present a careful study is under way in respect of 9000 Pensioners, which, according to Government records would have to be over 100 years old, 500 of them in fact were borne more than 110 years ago.
In total it is estimated that about 110,000 Greeks collect pension payments without an entitlement.
If this estimate is correct, (some say it is the tip of the iceberg) the annual cost of this embezzelment amounts to about 1.5 Billion Euros annually.
It is staggering to think how many people, relatives and doctors must be in on this scam.

I am repeating this account from our normally very reliable newspaper. (Tuesday, 11th of October.)It is not based on my own research.

Hey, Buddy, will you cash my Pension check?
Bertstravels

WELL, ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, DON'T THEY ?

2011-10-11T18:59:00.000+02:00

This very old and quite valuable farmer's chest,
hand crafted and hand painted was placed outside
with the cover opened, in order to get some fresh air into it
and make it smell good again.

This is the old fashioned iron locking device.

I came from the garden to go into my studio,
when I slipped and fell.
My left elbow knocked off the lid support,
my left wrist, palm down, came to rest exactly on top of the iron lock.
The heavy lid came down upon my hand and drove it
into the lock. Numbed I lifted the lid off my hand.
For a moment I sat there, not believing the gaping look of my wrist,
or the puddle of blood which formed very quickly.
At the top of my voice I called for Christin.
She came at once, applied a tournique and called our neighbouring doctor.
He hooked me onto an infusion, and bandaged my arm.
An ambulance was called which took me, sirens blaring, to the hospital.
The operating doctor told me that I was a very lucky man:
The iron prong missed my artery by the width of a hair.

So, I sit here typing this with one hand.

What did the man say? "Accidents will happen."

Along the "Wine Street" of Styria

2011-10-08T18:58:00.000+02:00

A few weeks ago we took a leisurely trip
along the "Wine Street" (Weinstrasse)
of the Province of Styria.
Wonderful rolling hills and on every South slope
a vinyard.

some of the very best wines are grown right here....
and some of the prettiest country side can be found here too.

Roses and Jugs

2011-10-07T20:21:00.000+02:00

Roses in my back garden.
*******
Yesterday we swam in our pool
today it snowed at -2 degrees.
Talk about a temperature swing.

The Beauty and The Beast

2011-10-05T17:14:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I showed you "The Beauty" in our Pool.

Today it's "The Beast"

Surely one of the last days of such brilliant sun shine
and warm temperatures.
22 Degrees in the Sun...
The water, a refreshing 15 degrees

The "Marathon swimmer"
Three length of our pool.
Then it gets too chilly.
It's the 5th of October, after all...

Is this "The Fox in the Hen House ?

2011-10-05T16:51:00.001+02:00

Todays News Paper "Die Presse" reports that Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz al-Saud will finance a "Centre for Religious Dialog" in Vienna. This Centre will be served by a Board of Directors, consisting of members of all the world's great religions. The Vatican sends an Islam specialist, the Anglican church sends a high ranking member, so will the Jewish community, the Buddhists will appoint a member, and Islam will be represented by a Saudi Arabian Imam. The Centre, so the paper reports will be staffed by 30 to 35 employees. Who they are, how they will be organized is still not clear.
On the surface this sounds like a great idea. What a wonderful opportunity for the worlds great religions to talk to each other and maybe, just maybe understand each other a little better. Surely this is something we all must applaud.

Now lets examine some of the background:
King Abdullah is the absolute ruler of Saudi Arabia. And Saudi Arabia is an Islamic State, where there is no division between Religion and Government. Saudi Arabia's Islam is of the "Wahhabi" variety. A very very fundamental kind of Islam, which preaches that all "Non-Believers" (in Islam) must be hated as must be their Believes.
If in Saudi Arabia you were to attempt to discuss f.i. Monarchy vs Democracy, or Islam vs.Christianity, you would likely find yourself in Jail and not on a discussion forum.
During the past two decades, the Saudis have spent in excess of 90 Billions of Dollars, (yes, that's "Billions") in an effort to propagate Wahhabism through the building of mosques, madrasas and other religious institutions in the Americas and in Europe. In many of them, so I read, hatred of anything "Not-Islam" is preached.
The State of Saudi Arabia is governed by the King, but the King is governed by Shari'ah (or Sharia) law.
A body of Law, which among others demands penalties such as Whipping, Stoning and Amputation.
Not so long ago, a woman met a friend to collect some photographs. The couple were attacked by several men, the man beaten and the young woman raped several times. The Perpetrators were apprehended, charged with the crime of rape and sentenced to various numbers of years in jail.
Great you say! So say I!
What happened to the rape victim? She was charged with "meeting a man who was not a member of her family", convicted of this 'heinous crime'
and sentenced to 200 lashes with a whip and six months in jail.
Very recently a woman was arrested for driving an automobile: She was sentenced to 100 lashes with the whip. This punishment was suspended by the edict of the King.
The very few believers in Christianity, living in Saudi Arabia, have to celebrate their religion secretly, in private homes and woe be them if they are caught.
Now, back to the Dialogue Centre, to be established by the King of Saudi Arabia in Vienna.
You can now actually take one of two positions:

1.) This is a great idea: To establish, pay for and fund the operations of a 'Centre for Religious Understanding' can only be a desirable thing. Three cheers for the King.

2.) This is a terrible idea: To give a fanatical branch of Islam a foothold in Central Europe from which they can preach more of their intolerance toward any other set of believes and slowly attempt to introduce their Sharia Law certainly poses a danger to civilisation as it is known here.

So, here you have the alternatives: Take your pick.
Bertstravels.

Quick, give me a Shot of Brandy or a Scotch on the Rocks...
No, don't ! The penalty for consuming alcohol is time in jail and/or lashes with the whip.

THE BATHING BEAUTY !

2011-10-04T17:08:00.000+02:00

Today is the 4th of October !
The nights are already getting chilly,
but the days....oh the days
a brilliant sun blazing from an absolutely cloudless sky.
The temperature in the mid 20s
day after day after day
one day more beautiful than the one before.
The water is about 15 degrees
(due to the cold nights)
but we went for a swim.
No, this is not Esther Williams
in "The Bathing Beauty"
This is "The Bathing Beauty"
in our swimming pool.

quick, somebody hand her a towel
Bertstravels.

Yeah !! Tax the Rich !!!

2011-10-03T10:23:00.001+02:00

Like many other countries, Austria suffers from a "Cash Deficiency"....
In other words: The Government spends more than it takes in.
The simple solution: Spend a little less... sell some of the assets, particularly those which lose money by the fist full, mostly due to inefficient operations...
BUT: there is a better solution: Start a campaigne with the slogan: "Tax the Rich."
Establish a "temporary" Tax for those earning more than 200,000 Euros per annum.
What a genial stroke of good P.R.
In days gone by we could always look to the Socialist Parties to talk about "equal distribution by increasing the taxes payable by "the Rich". Now even the Conservative Party of Austria has adopted this slogan.

Since, as Stats Austria tells us, only about 3% of earners have an income in excess of 80,000 Euros p.a., those earning 200,000 must be an insignificantly small number. The political party which shouts: "Tax the Rich", can therefore count with some certainty to please over 97% of voters. What a hit!
Unfortunately I have no exact number of the amount of additional taxes the Government would raise but, considering the very small number of taxpayers in this income bracket, and, also considering that this additional tax would apply only to the amount earned 'over and above' the 200,000 limit, I believe it is fair to say that this additional income would scarcely put a scratch into Austria's financial problems.
Consider this: The annual Interest on Austria's Debtburden amounts to 7.8 Billion Euros. Together with Pension payments they swallow more than 30% of all Federal Expenditures.
And, so as not to panic those high income earners, the word "temporary" has been inserted in front of the word "Tax"... What a crock: Remember that the USA, for instance, introduced personal Income Tax as a "temporary measure" to finance World War 1. That war was over in 1918, but personal income taxes are still an everyday burden on every American Citizen. So much for the words "temporary tax". Once a Government has tasted from the chalice of Income Tax, it will never let go of it. It's like blood to a vampire.
And after considering all of this, please note that Austria is, per capita, among the richer Nations of the European Union.
This measure will not change by one iota the Debt shouldered by Austria.
But what a wonderful Election Gimmick it is.

Hey, quick, pay me back the buck you owe me.
Bertstravels.

Sooo much money and nowhere to put it...

2011-09-30T13:49:00.000+02:00

There is so much corruption in high places that one almost does not want to open the Morning Paper because there is bound to be another report of this government minister and that former high placed Civil Servant having helped himself to large sums of Euros out of tax payers money.
One case in particular fills the papers these days:
The late Premier of the Province of Carinthia had hired an accountant to advise him on the sale of a government owned bank. An Investment Bank (HSBC) had previously offered to handle this transaction for a fee of 3% of the eventual sales price.
"Will you do this for half" the Premier asked the CA, who quickly agreed to such a commission:
The Sale went through for about 800 Million Euros, and 12 million Euros became payable to the CA... "Will you take half of this?" asked the Premier and the CA, considering this an extraordinarily high fee, quickly agreed to accept 6 Million Euros. So into his account went payments of 4.5 million and 1.5 million Euros respectively.
If you look for any written reports, research material or opinions issued by the CA to the Premier, you won't find any.
It is said that the CA simply had a number of conversations with the Premier and his Deputy and during these conversations gave his opinion about a number of issues related to the sale of this Bank.. The potential buyer was already at the table ( was not found by the CA) and the CA never participated in any of the negotiations.
For doing very little work the CA collected a cool 6 Mio Euros.
During current investigations experts suggested that 200,000 Euros would be a maximum fee for the CA's involvement in this transaction.
There is quite a spread between 200 Gs and 6 Millions, isn't there? If my math is correct that's 3000%.
The question inevitably arises: Qui Bono ? Who benefitted from this largess? Obviously the CA was a beneficiary of this fee. Is it reasonable to assume that the late Premier simply wanted to do a favour to a friend? (with Taxpayers' money) Or did he expect some of this money to find its way back to him or at least to his party? At this point nobody knows:
The CA swears up and down that he did not kick back any of the funds to anybody... We just have to take his word for it...

...and now for a little rip off... (but not with taxpayers' funds)
There is a Company also operating in Austria, called "Nespresso" ( is it reasonable to assume that this is a subsiduary of Nestle, selling Espresso ? )
Well, this company, for its Vienna branch, had a CEO, called Wolfgang W. who, as he testified at his trial, worked like a dog almost 24 hours a day to increase the sales of their product. Because he worked so hard, the sales increased by 50% and the money kept rolling in, so that finally nobody knew what to do with all that loot.
Wolfgang had a good idea: Knowing the weakness of his firm's accounting controlls, he formed a little company of his own whose only business it was to produce fake invoices and so Wolfi banked 2.7 million Euros into his own account, and for a little while Wolfi and his wife lived in grand style.
Well, as it happens so often, the mother firm conducted an audit and the jig was up.
At court he got off easily: Of the maximum penalty for a crime of this nature of 10 years he got only 4 years in jail. An Appeal is of course still possible and maybe, just maybe, Wolfi didn't do anything wrong.

Somebody give me cup o' coffee... quick
Bertstravels

Some more Non-Political postings

2011-09-27T11:28:00.000+02:00

a Loon upon her nest.
Loons are great divers, good swimmers, efficient flyers.
But, due to the rear location of their legs, they are very
clumsy on land.

A Loon offering a freshly caught fish to its chick.
Although the fish is much too big for the chick,
it pecks away, gets a little bit here and there
and, most important, it gets the taste of the fish.

I read on the internet that the Fall Colours in Algonquin Park
are at or near their peak.
something like this???

Seven painted turtles sitting on some sticks
one fell off, then there were just six.
Six painted turtles, slow, but quite alive
one went for a swim
then there were just five
five painted turtles.......STOP IT ...

Just for a Change....

2011-09-27T09:51:00.000+02:00

I've been writing all about Politicians and their inane utterances, and other "heavy" themes. So I thought it might be a nice switch to post a few pictures from my collection.
This most colourful "Saddlebill Stork" never stops looking for food. Slowly, step by careful step he makes his way through the shallow water. Here a fish, there a frog... there's always something to be had.
A truly heavy "Bull Moose" just accross from the Hailstorm Creek Marsh at the North End of Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park, Ontario, keeps looking for his favourite food: Water Lilly roots.
In the same place, a Canada Goose, taking off, running as fast as she can atop the water, flapping her wings energetically until she finds enough lift to take off and then fly gracefully over the lake.
Finally: A Rose is a Rose is a Rose.... according to Gertrude Stein, or : A Rose by any other name still smells as sweet... according to the William, the Bard.
So there you have it: A little rest from dumb politicians....
Breath deeply
Bertstravels

For A Change

2011-09-27T09:38:00.000+02:00

A "Saddle Bill Stork" forages in the Okawango Delta.

A mighty "Bull Moose" in Algonquin Park

A "Canada Goose" taking off.

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose.

This Tragic Comedy goes on....

2011-09-21T13:18:00.000+02:00

Remember, some days ago I told you about Wolfgang Schneider (44) who, with a message on his T-shirt stood and watched a parade go by... and how some of the participants in the parade did not like the message, since it suggested that their leader should go to jail, as a judge, in fact, had found? (Appeal pending)... and how they attempted first to rip the T-shirt off Wolfgang's back, then called a policeman who urged Wolfgang to "move along"... and how Wolfgang suggested that since this was a public place he had a right to be there, which brought him a quick arrest by the cop who felt his authority challenged ?
Remember all of this ? Of course you do... it was, after all a little true story showing "Democracy in Action" in Austria... or, more like: "Democracy sound asleep".

Todays Newspaper reports and I swear this is true and not a bad joke thought up by me:
Wolfgang received a "Strafmandat" ( similar to a traffic ticket ) which does not require a judge, but can be issued by the Police, from the Villach-Police Department, because of "Disturbance of Public Order, through particularly Recless Behaviour."
The amount on the ticket: Euro 69,28.
This is a strange amount, you say? Well, let me tell you: the actual penalty amounted to Euro 70.00, but 72 cents were deducted, because he was "improperly under arrest for 43 minutes."
Talk about accurate book-keeping being more important than the principle of the entire issue.

Wolfgang Schneider is now contemplating an appeal against this "Strafmandate" and thinks of hiring a lawyer.
Of course, as he is aware, touching the door handle into the lawyer's office will cost more than 69.28 Euros.

Hey, somebody has to care about democratic principles, don't they ?

Quick, hand me a collection box.
Bertstravels

Enzian (blue) Almrausch (red) Edelweiss (white)

2011-09-19T11:45:00.000+02:00

Recently I was hiking at about the half way mark
of the Hoch Obir.
This is one of the three famous alpine flowers:
The Enzian.
The other two are Almrausch and, of course,
The Edelweiss.

(there are many other flowers up there, but these
are the three always associated with The Alps.)

I really did not expect any better....

2011-09-19T09:25:00.000+02:00

Guess what: Frau Fekter still is the Finance Minister of Austria.
She did not resign;
She was not fired;
She was 'ordered' to appologize.
"I appologize to anyone who may have been offended by my remarks."
Not: "I appologize for my remarks which were ill chosen and inappropriate...."
NO, I appologize only to those who may have been offended by my remarks....
That may well mean, that she considers her remarks to have been appropriate, but that there may still be some persons who were offended by them.
And her Boss accepts this mealy-mouthed so-called appology.

Okay... I'll appologize to you later
Bertstravels

Here we go again....

2011-09-18T10:27:00.002+02:00

I wrote yesterday about Frau Maria Fekter, Austria's illustrious Minister of Finance and her boorish behaviour, also displayed by a number of other European Ministers of Finance. Well, she has now offered the proof that she does not only lack the most fundamental diplomatic skills, but that she is also quite ignorant of History, not to say downright stupid.
Let me quickly paint the background of this latest "Fekterism": During the recent meeting of European Finance Ministers, during which she displayed her abysmal lack of Diplomacy, nay even of fundamental courtesy towards an invited guest, the conversation centered around taxation. Specifically "Taxation of the Rich". (This being an imagined cornerpost of Europe's recovery from its financial woes.)
I am not absolutely certain what Fekter wanted to say with this ( loosely translated ) statement:
            "...additionally in Europe we are building enormous 'enemy-images' against Banks and the Rich.
             We have done that once before against the Jews, meaning similar groups, and twice Wars
              broke out because of this."
Hey, Frau Fekter... how's that again? In Europe you hated the Jews but you actually hated the Banks and the Rich and that was the reason for WW I and WWII ? Therefore, your reasoning seems to go, no new Taxation on Financial Transactions or Wealth Taxation should be contemplated since this might lead to a new building of "enemy-images".
Your confusion about Historical Facts as they are known is beyond belief . As far as I know neither of the two World Wars broke out because of hatred toward Banks and other Financial Institutions, epitomized by members of the Jewish community.
It is simply unforgivable for any member of the Austrian Government to connect the Holocaust with the current attempt by the European community to raise additional income.  It belittles what must be one of the most heinous crimes committed by Government sanction against any group of its citizens.

If after this demonstration of total ignorance this pathetic example of a politician does not herself resign, she must be fired from this or any other position in the Austrian Government.

Quick, hand her the 'pink slip'
Bertstravels

Berts Dictionary: "Fekterism": The Art of putting your foot in your mouth prior to putting your brain into gear.
                                              or: Saying out loud what comes to a non-existing mind.

Why did they invite him?

2011-09-17T13:41:00.001+02:00

The 17 Finance Ministers of the European Union met in Poland recently. They invited Mr. Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary of Finance of the United States of America, specifically "to offer some advice on fixing Europe's sovereing debt and banking problems."
Mr. Geithner evidently is well aware that his own country has serious debt problems itself and therefore he kept his remarks to a few platitudes. He urged the E.U. to enlarge their bail-out fund, describing the US efforts to bolster the market in 2008, and to speak to their member states and the rest of the world with a united voice. He did not offer a fully developed plan and his remarks could in no way be interpreted as "preaching".
The Finance Minister of Austria, Mrs. Maria Fekter, however, had this to say after the meeting: "I had expected that, when he tells us how he sees the world, that he would listen to what we have to say."
The Belgian Finance Minister chimed right in, suggesting that "we Europeans do not need Advice from America."
So, one has to wonder: If they did not want to hear him speak, why did they invite him? Surely they did not ask him to come to their meeting and to keep his mouth shut, because "we Europeans have nothing to learn from the United States." Had they not invited him, he would obviously not have come and in his absence he would not have offended the Austrian and Belgian Finance Ministers, and probably 15 more.
I am certain that Mr. Geithner listened very attentively to everything said by all the Finance Ministers present, thusly fulfilling Frau Fekter's requirements.
Now one must ask again: Why in hell did they invite him?

Bertstravels

Up the HOCH OBIR

2011-09-13T22:07:00.000+02:00

THIS TRULY IS LIVING IN SOLITUDE
incircled by almost threatening looking trees.

at the foot of thickly wooded foot hills
of the Steiner Alpen.

Once again, the Steiner Alpen.
Somewhere in this image there is the border between
Austria and Slovenia.

I'm never too sure where the Karawanken end
and the Steiner Alpen begin.
Just believe me that it's a beautiful area.

Really ????

2011-09-12T08:41:00.000+02:00

This morning's news paper carries, as every Monday, a weather forecast for the week:
Guess what it predicts for tomorrow, Tuesday ??? This must be the most surprising development in all of weather prognostications:
"Tuesday there will be sunshine outside any cloud cover."
Who would have thought so? You mean to say there will be sunshine if there are no clouds?
Absolutely astonishing News.
I could go a step further:
Wednesday will be dry in non-rain areas.
While on Thursday, if there are no winds, calm weather will predominate.
On Friday the roads and the fields and the forests and the mountain slopes will be wet anywhere it rains.
The predictions for Saturday and Sunday are too astonishing to even contemplate.
I wonder whether Canada has the same unusual conditions?

come on, somebody hand me an umbrella.
Bertstravels.

There's my Hang Out...

2011-09-11T17:35:00.000+02:00

In this deck chair I spend my afternoons...
many of them...
The temperatures, although it's already the 11th September
range between 25 and 33.
The water in the pool is 22, just the way I like it..
How much more could you wish for?

You just have to imagine me in this deck chair.
I know I could have used a tripod and a timer...
or I could have asked Christin to take a shot.
but I thought you might use your imagination
and just picture me in this chair.

Below:
That's as much as you are going to see of me:
"Me and my shadow"

Bleiburger Wiesenfest

2011-09-06T21:12:00.000+02:00

"The "Bleiburger Wiesenfest"
or
The Bleiburg Festival of the Meadow

"A great time was had by all."

A Mini CNE
with as much fun.

An Old Friend is gone.

2011-09-01T10:48:00.000+02:00

Leopold Schmirl
1932 - 2011

We just called him "Poldi"
He was a good friend.
From 1945 to 1951 we went to High School together.
We played on the same School Soccer team.
We played on the same School Handball team.
We studied Ancient Greek and Latin and Math. together!
When I travelled to Austria I often visited Poldi
and his lovely wife Inge in the small city of Altheim
where Poldi was the Post Master for many many years.
Poldi was one of those lovely people
who always had something good to say.
When I heard that he had left us
I cried.

R.I.P. Poldi.

"PARSIFAL" (and its dumb producers)

2011-08-30T14:22:00.001+02:00

I never thought that I would ever see and hear an Opera by Richard Wagner. "This dude is much too heavy for me... I'm glad if I can get to Mozart, or Verdi... but Wagner ? Never !"
Well, last week, Christin and I drove to Bayreuth in Bavaria, Germany, which is, you might as well call it, The Cradle of Wagner's Operas. The story of the Bayreuth Festival Theatre in itself is an interesting one. I will not here talk about it, but might I suggest that you Google it?
"Parsifal" is a story about "Knights of the Grail", "The Grail" itself and the "Holy Spear" ... at last it is a story about "Good and Evil"... with, you guessed it, Good winning out in the end.
As happens often, nowadays, when an old work is performed, it is clothed in modern garb and placed in modern times.
Let me tell you, to see instead of a Knight a fat grown-up kid in a sailor suit with three quarter length pants prancing about the stage will not fill you with solemnity and awe. To see German soldiers in black uniforms marching around, and Swastika Flags hanging from the ceiling is also not an awe-inspiring novel idea depicting "Evil".
In fact it is more a silly joke.
For two of the three acts a bed, centre stage, is the main attention grabbing prop. People on it disappear only for others to re-appear on this bed... all of this achieved by a simple trap door installation, handled so poorly that it presents no mystery... it's simply a trap door equipped bed... a little like the barber chair of Sweeny Tod. It's almost laughable in its primitive simplicity.
The whole farce (because that's what it must be) is almost at an end and writing is projected onto a semi-translucent curtain.

You will not believe this, because although I saw it, I experienced a feeling of disbelief: The message was, and I am repeating it from memory and translating it from German into English, but I promise you, this is approximately what it said:

" Dear Visitors! Please do not engage in political discussions while in the area of this theater, but honour the work of art....."

The audacity of the producers of this Opera is truly mind boggling. Now they "ask" (please) not to express a political opinion while in the area of the Festival theater.
How long will it take for them to "demand" that political opinions are not to be expressed about this work anytime and anywhere? And then will come their favourite phrase: "It is verboten to express a political opinion..."
Even if I am not to read into this message any sinister prohibition, whose breach will have dire consequences
I must question the wisdom of the producers who treat their audience like a group of children whose behaviour and discussion themes must be controlled by such a message.
It is simply outrageous and ultimately stupid to issue such a message: People who think, will not permit themselves to be thusly controlled.
I must confess that I did not have the courage to "booo and whistle" when this assinine message appeared. I now regret my timidity, since, I am certain, others would have chimned in had I started.

Now I must make another confession: Wagner's music is simply utterly beautiful... in fact, the very moment that I am writing this, I am also listening to a recording of this Opera and I will listen to it again tonight without any distraction by a stupid stage production or writing about it.
Probably, I'll just get me a glass of good wine, sit back, close my eyes and listen.

Okay, James Levine and the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra:
HIT IT.

Bertstravels

I'm First !!! No! I'm First!!! No, I'm First.... well, who the hell is first?

2011-08-24T14:22:00.000+02:00

China, Russia and Germany abstained from resolution 1973 ...of the U.N.Security Council.
Now, that the Rebels seem to have won the struggle, everybody seems to be concerned about their "goodies"...
China let it be known that it expects that its investments in Libya will be safe guarded.
Russia issued similar statements.
Austria's Business Delegate to Libya suggested that China and Russia may well suffer some consequences for their position in the Resolution 1973 vote, but he is certain that German Chancellor Angela Merkel "has ironed out" the situation quite well and that therefore he does not expect any negative consequences for Germany's position.
Austria itself is right in line with (for its) major investments: Oil, Medical Products, Road Construction,
Austria's leadership, in particular that of the Province of Carinthia, were on good terms with Gaddafi
and the then Provincial Premier of Carinthia, the right wing Joerg Haider, called Mr. Gaddafi "his good friend" at a time when Ronald Regan, the President of the USA referred to Gadaffi as " the mad dog of the Near East". May we assume that Mr. Regan knew something Austria's Leadership was unaware of?

It is also interesting to note that European voices are always very quick in their condemnation of "Amerika"
(by which they mean the US of A.) suggesting that Amerika gets involved only when oil interests are at stake, thereby conveniently forgetting that three countries claimed oil-exploration rights from the post-Saddam Hussein Irak: China, Russia and France. The USA, for whatever reason, filed not a single claim for such activity. These things are, however, quickly forgotten, if ever they were known by the European accusers.

Whatever the outcome of the current struggle in Libya, whatever other dictatorship will replace that of Muammar Gaddafi, (to expect a Democracy in Libya would be hoping for too much), one thing is for certain:
Political Doublespeech will bloom and prosper.

quick! somebody hand me a dictionary
Bertstravels.

POLITICAL DOUBLE SPEAK

2011-08-24T12:14:00.001+02:00

The UN Security council passed Resolution 1973 (2011) in which it, among others, declared the air space over Libya a "no fly zone". It also gave its members the authority to enforce such a zone by taking "all necessary measures".. Germany "abstained" from a vote on this resolution.
Germany also decided not to participate in the enforcement of this resolution, but left it in the hands of France and Great Britain. The largest part of this effort was carried (what else is new) by the United States of America and their Stealth Airplanes. The U.S.A left the official command over the air strikes in the hands of France and Great Britain.
Germany of a sudden finds itself as "the odd man out" in the effort to remove from power one of the most brutal dictators in recent history. In order to somewhat mitigate this loss of face, the German Foreign Minister states that it was correct not to participate in the air attacks against Gaddafi's Libya, but rather to participate in specific sanctions against Libya. ( He did not enumerate the nature of these "specific sanctions".)
Further, Germany offered a credit of 100 Million Euros for the new rebel government.
The epitomy of political double speak, however, was uttered by the German Chancellor, Mrs. Merkel:
"All of us share the aims of resolution 1973, irrespective of our abstaining from or agreement to this resolution."
In other words: "Don't judge us by what we actually do, but judge us by the Double Speak we utter."

Hey, please introduce me to an honest politician...
Bertstravels

Bleiburg: The Swimming Pool

2011-08-20T12:26:00.000+02:00

Even without this backdrop this Swimming Pool would be
absolutely first class.
It's olympic size, the water at all times cristal clear,
when it gets a little cool, a solar heating panel warms it up,
so that enjoyment is guaranteed.
What you don't see, because I, the photographer, stood with
my back to it, is a lovely "Gastgarten" where colourful umbrellas
allow you to enjoy Fried Chicken or many other local delicacies,
without melting in the blazing sun.
Now add to this "The Petzen", the local ski hill of some 2,300 meters,
much loved during the summer season by hikers and serious climbers,
and you got yourself an unbeatable combination.

Okay, let's go for a swim.
Bertstravels.

What is this ???

2011-08-16T11:07:00.000+02:00

same b&w stripes

at different time of the year.

WHAT IS IT ??

2011-08-15T21:59:00.000+02:00

CAN ANYBODY GUESS WHAT THIS TRULY IS?

there are no prizes for guessing it right.

Is this "Democracy" ???

2011-08-09T14:07:00.000+02:00

Sometimes I am close to dispair. ....
Let me give you a short summary of the background of this story:
There is a man in Carinthia, by name of Uwe Scheuch. Uwe came up through the ranks of a right wing political party until he finally made it to Leader of the FPK, the "Freiheitliche Partei Kaerntens" (The Liberty Party of Carinthia) and to Deputy Premier of the Province of Carinthia.
In January of 2010 Carinthia's Prosecutor began investigating charges against Uwe, the Deputy Leader of the Party in Power, for Corruption. The charges were based on an accusation, fortified by tape recordings, in which Uwe, during a conversation with a wealthy Russian indicates that he could certainly assist in obtaining Austrian citizenship for this potential investor, but that he expected that some of the money would flow into the party coffers. That, Uwe said, (in English) "is part of the game".
On the 2nd of August, a courageous Judge, Liebhauser-Karl, after having heard extensive evidence, found Mr. Scheuch guilty as charged and pronounced a sentence of 18 month Jail, only 6 of which unconditional.
Of course, Uwe, as is his right, filed an appeal to the higher court.
So far, so good: There are corrupt officials and courageous judges everywhere.
It is extremely difficult, however, to imagine the storm of outrage which broke loose: The Premier of the Province called the Judge incompetent, questioning if the judgement had been the same if Mr. Scheuch belonged to a different political party and classifying Mr. Scheuch's remarks to the potential investor, as "Kaffeklatsch" (Coffe-house chatter)
Then came letters to the Newspapers, one of them suggesting that "if this were happening in Calabria
( A Maffia Stronghold ), the Judge would be dead by now.
Other death threats came via mail and e-mail.
Is this the way in which citizens of a civilized country react to a judgement of their court?

The sad story continues:
There is a lovely city in Carinthia, called Villach:
The good citizens of this city had a "Kirchtag" , a big party with music, and general merry-making, ending in a long parade.
Wolfgang Schneider, thought it would be funny to stand on the side lines of this parade, dressed in a T-shirt with the self inscribed logo: "Uwe geh in Haefn...it's all part of the game" ( Uwe, go to jail ... it's all part of the game.) Some members of Uwe's political party, the FPK, did not like this inscription, and commenced a physical attack against Wolfgang, attempting to tear off the offending t-shirt. Then these hooligans called the cops, insisting that Wolfgang be arrested because "he obstructed their parade route."
The police officer asked wolfgang to "move on".. Wolfgang insisted on his right to stay there (This is a public place, he suggested)... The Police officer considered this an affront to his authority and before Wolfgang Schneider, an Austrian Citicen, who simply stood on the side of the road, watching a parade go by, realized what was happening, he was lying on his stomach, on the street, his arms bent back and hand cuffs snapped in place. He was arrested and charged with : "Actions against Public Order."
As Wolfgang said, he was most disturbed at the non-chalant manner in which bystanders accepted these happenings....
So, here we have it:
A Politician (Provincial Deputy Premier) convicted of Corruption (appeal Pending)
The Provincial Premier saying "I do not accept this judgment"
Other high ranking Politician pronouncing the Judge "Incompetent"...
Death threats against the Judge
A Citizen viewing a parade, wearing a t-shirt expressing his opinion
Political hooligans attacking this man
A cop disrespecting this citizen's right to be in a public place.

Oh, my dear Austria... where goest thou ????

Find me a Democrat
Bertstravels.

BLEIBURG 2 - ST.VEIT 3 --sorry -

2011-08-07T10:05:00.000+02:00

the prettiest Center Forward
at the ceremonial kick-off

Three against one : 's no fair.

This one found the upper left corner.

An alert 'keeper.
I was worried that this would be a "blow-out".
In the First Minute: 1:0 for St. Veit.
5 minutes later: 2:0 for St. Veit
in the 10th minute: St.Veit pulled ahead again: 3:0
Then Bleiburg woke up to the fact, that this was a Soccer Game...
not Diddly-Winks.
Nothing much happened in the rest of the first half.
Then in the second Half a Penalty shot for Bleiburg
made it 3:1
a little later, a beautiful goal made it 3:2 and Bleiburg was in the game.
But, alas, that's all she wrote.

from "AAA" to "AA+

2011-08-06T12:49:00.001+02:00

Well, it happened....
remember my mention in an earlier entry in this Blog of the irrational statements made by several high ranking officials of the European Union? Statements such as "we must not permit an American Rating Agency to damage our currency, the Euro.." ..suggesting that the downgrading of the notorious spendthrifts like Greece, Ireland, Portugal etc. was done by the three American Rating Agencies in an effort to damage the Euro....
It was suggested by these very same intellectual lightweights that these rating agencies "must be smashed"
and so on ad nauseam...
Yes, now it happened: Standard and Poor, one of the three American Rating Agencies, downgraded the Credit Rating of the U.S.A. from AAA to AA+
Now what are the E.U. officials going to say? That S&P is trying to destroy the US$ ? That S&P must be smashed because they downgraded the Credit Rating of their own country? Not likely ....
They will probably come up with some other harebrained coccamamy idea.

Let's examine what S&P said to justify their downgrading: (summarized and abriviated) ..
Efforts to reduce U.S. Government Spending were not enough. The Deficit Reduction must be more significant.
Let me also quote a columnist of the Washington Post, Ezra Klein:
"Standard & Poor is downgrading their estimation of our political system and not our actual ability to pay our debts. Indeed, the past 36 hours offered a stunning demonstration of the market's faith in our ability to pay our debts. Stockmarket panic of the last few days sent investors rushing to buy U.S. Treasuries."

It is, of course, most unfortunate that the two parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, could find a solution to the increase in the borrowing limits only after prolonged, down to the last minute, haggling and in a downwatered version which really pleases no-one, and which, in the long run, does not solve the ultimate problem. The U.S. government simply must find a meaningful deficit cutting solution to this perennial problem.

I do not believe that an accross the board increase in taxation is the answer: This step usually reduces the ability of the private sector to increase production, thereby increasing jobs, and consequently increasing taxes payable. I also do not believe that the modest advances in social benefits which President Obama was able to achieve should be taken back or modified.
From reading many opinions expressed by pundits and people in the know I do believe:
1.)The United States of America should extricate itself from wars into which it partially was lured by the UN, should let the European Union carry more of this burden and consequently reduce the budgetary provisions for the Pentagon to a reasonable level.
2.) Some of the "tax shelters" for very rich individuals and corporations should be allowed to expire. Although I admit that the removal of a tax shelter is tantamount to the increase in taxes payable, this would limit such an increase to those who benefitted by regulations passed during the Bush aera and which were meant to have an expiry date.
3.) Welfare- and Unemployment payments should be controlled and paid only to those in need.
4.) Rampant duplication of Government Service positions must be eliminated.

I suppose there are many many other ways in which this problem can be managed. All it takes is Good Will by both political parties and the conviction that the results of a deterioration of the economic position of their country is to the detriment of ALL of its citizens, irrespective of their individual political orientation.

Sell me a Treasury Bill
Bertstravels

The BUSHMEN OF THE KALAHARI

2011-08-05T12:14:00.000+02:00

The Chief of the family has just unearthed
a liquid filled tuber.
Finely shaved it provides much needed liquid.

Besides these tubers, they dug up and presented to us truffels.
We had an entire evening meal consisting of
slightly roasted truffels.

With two stones the Bushmen, or San
still know how to make a fire.
Although I'm sure that nowadays they prefer to use matc hes.

Sitting on the ground, they sing and clapp their hands
while the men dance rhythmically around them.

"Kirchtag auf der Petzen"

2011-07-31T17:59:00.001+02:00

It's a Folk Festival where everybody is having a good time.
This "Kirchtag" was scheduled for last Sunday. Last Sunday it rained in buckets and it was colder than the North Pole. The clever people postponed the festival to today, Sunday...
and today the Sun shone from a blue sky with nary a cloud in sight.
People came from everywhere. They drove by car to the Cable Car station and some even hiked up the mountain.
It's a three hour hike... believe me I took the gondola.
Once up there I let my cameras click away.
Some of the results are posted herewith.
Let's have a beer !!!
Greetings from atop the Petzen
Bertstravels

"KIRCHTAG" AUF DER PETZEN

2011-07-31T17:48:00.000+02:00

From here a gondola cable car takes you 2 thirds of the way up.

Line up for the cable car.

A Cordial Welcome
from the Ski club - Petzen

More Petzen Festival

2011-07-31T17:43:00.000+02:00

Naturally there is a good Brass Band...

...and pretty waitresses serving good beer

...there must have been thousands of happy people..

The biggest "Gamsbart"

Friends on the Petzen...

2011-07-31T17:36:00.001+02:00

Gofi, Mitch and Lis (Lis is from Vancouver)

Baerbel and Klaus
Our neighbours and friends.

This is a bum I do not know.

but that does not mean I can't fotograph it.

More "Kirchtag" atop the Petzen

2011-07-31T17:31:00.000+02:00

The beer is good and strong.

A lovely young lady in black Lederhosen
with a Dalmatian dog.

More crowds
In fact there were thousands...

A good time was had by all

2011-07-31T17:21:00.000+02:00

Folk Festival on the Petzen.

In Lederhosen and modern "Dirndl"
This handsome couple looks forward
to a good time.

These two already had a good time.

A young family.

View from the Petzen

2011-07-31T17:15:00.000+02:00

Small villages may be seen from the Petzen.
What a lovely view for all the merry-makers

Rolling hills in the valley. A church atop one of them.
The Petzen in the background.
Is this lovely country ?

what is it ?

2011-07-27T15:16:00.000+02:00

does anybody know what moth(?) this is ???

well, everybody knows that this is a rose !

PLATO AND A PLATYPUS walk into a Bar...

2011-07-25T14:41:00.000+02:00

The above is the title of a wonderful little book... It helps the reader to understand philosophical concepts through jokes and it is absolutely hilariously funny.
So, go to the nearest library, order it from your neighbourhood book-store or on the internet's "amazon.com." You won't be sorry
bertstravels.

Just the Point !!!

2011-07-25T14:33:00.000+02:00

A 95 YEAR OLD MAN visits his doctor and tells him that his 20 year old wife is going to have his baby soon.
The doctor asks the man to sit down and listen to a little story: The man makes himself comfortable and the doctor says: " A man wanted to go bear hunting. On his way out the door, instead of taking his gun along, he grabbed an umbrella. No sooner is he out in the forrest than the bear comes charging out from the bushes. The man raises his umbrealla and shoots the bear dead."
"But that's impossible" says the 95 year old. "somebody else must have shot the bear."
And the doctor says with a smile on his face: "exactly my point !!!"

Murau, Styria - Shakespeare

2011-07-25T07:59:00.001+02:00

The annual Sheakespeare Festival
attracts a select crowd from all over Austria.
We met a couple who had driven 5 hours,
all the way from Innsbruck.

...in the rain...

..Christin with our Airdale Terrier, called Doggy-dog-dog.

The Barn in which, if it rains, Shakespeare is performed.
Otherwise it would have been in the Courtyard
of a Castle from the Middle Ages.