I don't remember whether I have talked about "anagrams" before.
It takes a very special mind to construct such a thing:
Just to clarify: An Anagram is a word or a sentence which has been constructed out of the letters of another word or sentence: No letters must remain unused and none may be added. What's more, the newly created word or sentence must be related in meaning to the original.
I read these somewhere and, unfortunately I cannot claim authorship:
By rearranging the letters:
"astronomers" becomes "moon starers"
"clothepins" becomes "so lets pinch"
"Valentine Poems" becomes "pen mates in love"
"Late night chinese food party" becomes "heating the crispy noodle fat"
I am returning to Bleiburg tomorrow. This may be the cause of this slight attack of giddy lunacy.
Greetings from beautiful Toronto
Bertstravels
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014
a little nonsence
Just to keep you from being disappointed, I will give you a few pithy sayings:
"A woman's dress should be like a barbed wire fence: Serving its purpose without obstructing the view."
this little gem comes from Sophia Loren.
or this one:
"Saving is a very fine thing! Especially when your parents have done it for you."
so said Winston Churchill.
so, come back again..for more.. you hear ?
so says
Bertstravels.
"A woman's dress should be like a barbed wire fence: Serving its purpose without obstructing the view."
this little gem comes from Sophia Loren.
or this one:
"Saving is a very fine thing! Especially when your parents have done it for you."
so said Winston Churchill.
so, come back again..for more.. you hear ?
so says
Bertstravels.
Friday, July 25, 2014
6 more days
Yes, this month in Toronto and environs is slowly, but surely, drawing to a close.
It's been an eventful 3 weeks, so far and promises to provide for a further 6 busy days:
Today, Thursday, the 24th of July, my son Steven has taken Jan to a Blue Jay base ball game. I wonder if Jan will enjoy himself. Base ball is a most difficult game to truly understand. Although Steven spent some time in an effort to explain the game to Jan, I have my doubts as to his success.
At 1 PM I shall have lunch with John Andrade and his lovely wife Veronica. John and I, in years gone by, spent many a day fighting against one of the dumbest rules ever perpetrated by a Government upon its people. The so-called "Rent Review Legislation" which we both fought out of conviction and professional interest.
I will have dinner tonight with Howard Carson, Lianne's business partner.
Tomorrow we shall drive to Hamilton to visit with my friend, John Nolan. He's been in Africa with me 3 or 4 times and I am certain we shall relive some of these exciting memories.
It's been an eventful 3 weeks, so far and promises to provide for a further 6 busy days:
Today, Thursday, the 24th of July, my son Steven has taken Jan to a Blue Jay base ball game. I wonder if Jan will enjoy himself. Base ball is a most difficult game to truly understand. Although Steven spent some time in an effort to explain the game to Jan, I have my doubts as to his success.
At 1 PM I shall have lunch with John Andrade and his lovely wife Veronica. John and I, in years gone by, spent many a day fighting against one of the dumbest rules ever perpetrated by a Government upon its people. The so-called "Rent Review Legislation" which we both fought out of conviction and professional interest.
I will have dinner tonight with Howard Carson, Lianne's business partner.
Tomorrow we shall drive to Hamilton to visit with my friend, John Nolan. He's been in Africa with me 3 or 4 times and I am certain we shall relive some of these exciting memories.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Animal sightings near Gore Bay
I must be honest and admit that Gore Bay is not the most photogenic settlement in Ontario.
Its approximately 900 inhabitants live in nice homes, some very nice indeed, but the town core, well the core, please do not make me say it...
So this evening we decided to take a little trip in the neighbourhood. Beautiful farm land and just open spaces galore.
Two Sandhill Cranes and a lone White Tailed Deer presented themselves to my new lens.
(you may argue with me that the cranes are not Sandhill, but "Red Headed Cranes"... I say they are Sandhills.
And since this is my Blog I can say anything I want... so there
so says
Bertstravels.
Its approximately 900 inhabitants live in nice homes, some very nice indeed, but the town core, well the core, please do not make me say it...
So this evening we decided to take a little trip in the neighbourhood. Beautiful farm land and just open spaces galore.
Two Sandhill Cranes and a lone White Tailed Deer presented themselves to my new lens.
(you may argue with me that the cranes are not Sandhill, but "Red Headed Cranes"... I say they are Sandhills.
And since this is my Blog I can say anything I want... so there
so says
Bertstravels.
On the Chi-Cheemaun
From Tobermory, the North tip of the Bruce Peninsula, we took the Ferry for a two hour trip to the 'South Landing' on Manitoulin Island. The Chi-Cheemaun takes aboard a possible maximum of 650 passengers and 240 automobiles. It raises its yawning front- or rear end and seemingly swallows people and cars with great gusto.
The Chi-Cheemaun in the process of loading or unloading its cargo
as we are about to leave the Tobermory harbour,
two boats come out of a side arm.
Jan is astonished at the expanse of Lake Huron
From beginning to end of the trip we are accompanied by seagulls.
Monday, July 21, 2014
In the Country side
In an old fashioned Blacksmith shop, the Master Blacksmith still plies his trade.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
NIKON D610 - First Test shots.
Please, doff your hat, make a bow and acknowledge
that this is the very first image taken with my new camera:
A Nikon D610 with an AF-S Nikkor lens, 28 to 300 mm.
After having photographed this Coke can,
sitting atop the kitchen table,
I drove out into the country side and took about 50 pictures
around a farm.
In many respects the D610 is very similar to the D300 ( which I baptized unwillingly ) and the D700
which I left at home in Bleiburg.
It has, however, many additional features, with which I am still becoming familiar.
If you want to get to know the specifications, just Google: www.nikon.com
CRAZY FOR YOU
We went to Stratford on Avon ! Not the original one in England, but the nicer one, in Ontario.
In the Festival Theater, where they also play heavy Shakespearean fare we saw an absolutely fabulous performance of " Crazy For You". One has to admit that George and Ira Gershwin were geniuses of their Art. The Singers and Dancers were positively first class. Unfortunately I did not yet have my replacement camera and therefore I cannot show you any pictures.
I knew almost every song of this production and so, I am sure, would you:
Just a few of them: Crazy for You,- Bidin' my time, -Shall we Dance?, -Someone to watch over me, -Embraceable You, -I got Rhythm, -They can't take that away from me, -They're writing songs of Love, but not for me, -Nice work if you can get it,
and really too many more to list them all here.
What a marvelous performance it was.
Jan loved it and so did
Bertstravels.
In the Festival Theater, where they also play heavy Shakespearean fare we saw an absolutely fabulous performance of " Crazy For You". One has to admit that George and Ira Gershwin were geniuses of their Art. The Singers and Dancers were positively first class. Unfortunately I did not yet have my replacement camera and therefore I cannot show you any pictures.
I knew almost every song of this production and so, I am sure, would you:
Just a few of them: Crazy for You,- Bidin' my time, -Shall we Dance?, -Someone to watch over me, -Embraceable You, -I got Rhythm, -They can't take that away from me, -They're writing songs of Love, but not for me, -Nice work if you can get it,
and really too many more to list them all here.
What a marvelous performance it was.
Jan loved it and so did
Bertstravels.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Presenting: The CN Tower
Flanked by two high rise office buildings
there is the tower itself.
The round building in front is the 'Roy Thomson Hall',
without doubt one of the most modern concert halls
with absolutely beautiful acoustics.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra calls this performance hall its home.
Friday, July 18, 2014
2 Pix from the CN Tower
Unfortunately, as you know, I dumped my camera into Little Joe lake.
and I won't get my replacement until next Monday.
Therefore we all have to be satisfied with these pictures
taken by Jan with his cell phone.
The Canadian National Tower
With the exception of a meal in a plane, flying at an altitude of 10 km or more, today we consumed a wonderful dinner at the highest elevation.
Jan and I sat at a table for two, right by the windows in the revolving restaurant of the CN Tower.
The tower reaches a height of 553.33 meters and the restaurant is at the 330 meter level.
The dinner was very good, but the view was extraordinary. The restaurant revolves around its axis in 72 minutes, so in little over an hour you have Toronto spread out below you. Seen from this level, even the tallest skyscrapers look puny by comparison, but the Lake still looks mighty big.
The tower was completed in 1976 and I remember watching the helicopter, as it brought the last antenna and deftly lowered it, so it could be bolted into place.
For 34 years it was the world's tallest freestanding building, when in 2010 taller structures were erected in Dubai and other Arab Nations. The CN tower is, to this day, the tallest building in the western hemisphere.
Since I did not design or build it, I have no reason to be proud of it, but I am pleased that it stands in Toronto as a symbol of our City.
Jan was impressed and so was
Bertstravels
Jan and I sat at a table for two, right by the windows in the revolving restaurant of the CN Tower.
The tower reaches a height of 553.33 meters and the restaurant is at the 330 meter level.
The dinner was very good, but the view was extraordinary. The restaurant revolves around its axis in 72 minutes, so in little over an hour you have Toronto spread out below you. Seen from this level, even the tallest skyscrapers look puny by comparison, but the Lake still looks mighty big.
The tower was completed in 1976 and I remember watching the helicopter, as it brought the last antenna and deftly lowered it, so it could be bolted into place.
For 34 years it was the world's tallest freestanding building, when in 2010 taller structures were erected in Dubai and other Arab Nations. The CN tower is, to this day, the tallest building in the western hemisphere.
Since I did not design or build it, I have no reason to be proud of it, but I am pleased that it stands in Toronto as a symbol of our City.
Jan was impressed and so was
Bertstravels
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Buffalo, New York
From Toronto to Niagara Falls it's a drive of about 1.5 hours and from there to Buffalo in the State of New York it is another 30 to 45 minutes. Seeing such proximity it is surprising that in over 50 years of my life in Toronto I had never visited this City until day before yesterday.
Buffalo is situated on the eastern end of Lake Erie and as the second largest City in the State of New York, it houses just short of 260,000 inhabitants. It is famous for its interesting architecture and its well developed waterfront, where sail- and motor boats of all possible sizes abound. The park areas invite you to relax and sit in the sun. Another claim to fame are the "Buffalo Chicken Wings".
Although Buffalo is not one of the most economically thriving cities it is absolutely clean and in all the time we walked about throughout the downtown area and then down to the waterfront, we saw one single solitary beggar.sitting on a park bench. He wore a striped T-shirt, short khaki pants and on his lap he supported a sign, saying:
" I am broke! Can you help me ?"
Buffalo has a large Afro-American population. The friendliness of the people we encountered, without exception, was real and cordial.
Although we were only there from about 10 AM to approximately 4 PM I can state unequivocally that Buffalo has more to offer than the Buffalo Sabers and the Buffalo Bills.
Bertstravels
was impressed.
Buffalo is situated on the eastern end of Lake Erie and as the second largest City in the State of New York, it houses just short of 260,000 inhabitants. It is famous for its interesting architecture and its well developed waterfront, where sail- and motor boats of all possible sizes abound. The park areas invite you to relax and sit in the sun. Another claim to fame are the "Buffalo Chicken Wings".
Although Buffalo is not one of the most economically thriving cities it is absolutely clean and in all the time we walked about throughout the downtown area and then down to the waterfront, we saw one single solitary beggar.sitting on a park bench. He wore a striped T-shirt, short khaki pants and on his lap he supported a sign, saying:
" I am broke! Can you help me ?"
Buffalo has a large Afro-American population. The friendliness of the people we encountered, without exception, was real and cordial.
Although we were only there from about 10 AM to approximately 4 PM I can state unequivocally that Buffalo has more to offer than the Buffalo Sabers and the Buffalo Bills.
Bertstravels
was impressed.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Some misunderstandings:
This Blog also has some German speaking readers. Some of them speak English very well, and some not quite as well. Therefore it sometimes leads to little misunderstandings.
For Instance: I said that the German Victory in the final of the world Cup of Soccer, would be celebrated in Germany with greater newspaper coverage than the outbreak of WWIII. One of my faithful readers took this as a anti-German dig and threatened not to read this Blog any further.
The expression that something is probably more important than WWIII is certainly not meant as "Anti-German" but is simply a way to express the extreme importance of a happening.
It is interesting to note that the accusation of my being "Anti German" was immediately followed by a tirade against America.... which is, so help me, a total nonsensical non-sequitur.
So, dear reader, if you happen to read this, please do not stop reading these entries, but continue to read them and complain to your heart"s content about them.
Bertstravels
For Instance: I said that the German Victory in the final of the world Cup of Soccer, would be celebrated in Germany with greater newspaper coverage than the outbreak of WWIII. One of my faithful readers took this as a anti-German dig and threatened not to read this Blog any further.
The expression that something is probably more important than WWIII is certainly not meant as "Anti-German" but is simply a way to express the extreme importance of a happening.
It is interesting to note that the accusation of my being "Anti German" was immediately followed by a tirade against America.... which is, so help me, a total nonsensical non-sequitur.
So, dear reader, if you happen to read this, please do not stop reading these entries, but continue to read them and complain to your heart"s content about them.
Bertstravels
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
This is pretty awful !
A bitch gave birth to several young ones on the side of the road!
A cop came and charged her with littering.
Does Bertstravels really have to sink so low ?
A cop came and charged her with littering.
Does Bertstravels really have to sink so low ?
Monday, July 14, 2014
What a Game
Schweinsteiger went down in pain, up again, a short while later down again and so on for at least 4 or 5 times. This man must have bruises on his bruises. I imagine, though, that it was all worth it. Winning the World Cup in Soccer is not just an achievement... it is a great accomplishment and all my congratulations and best wishes go out to this incredible team. A coach must be a very happy camper when blessed with the bench strength the German team has.
I shall not write any more about this game, since more will be written in every news paper than about any other event. Particularly in Germany, this Victory would have outclassed the outbreak of WW III.
I will write later about other things .. so just wait a while
Bertstravels.
I shall not write any more about this game, since more will be written in every news paper than about any other event. Particularly in Germany, this Victory would have outclassed the outbreak of WW III.
I will write later about other things .. so just wait a while
Bertstravels.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Meeting of "The Good Guys"
I had been looking forward to this evening. Our 'annual' meeting with the 'boys' (although by now they are all 'men') of Willowdale United. The soccer club which gave us all so much fun.
Unfortunately not everyone could make it: The Stevenato brothers, Paul and Bob (Hollywood and Fets) were away on a joint vacation with their respective families, Carlo Orrico underwent back surgery not too long ago and just started with Physiotherapy.
But Steven Mitro (Mits) sat to my left and gave me some concern, since his tough manner of play, with elbows always threatening, was a constant reminder to behave myself.
Frank Vessio ( Scio, #10, Captain of the team) still has not lost his suave self. A clever ball control and scoring touch were his hallmark.
Then came Ian Searl, "The Duke", a lovely midfielder, (Centerhalf) with great ball distribution and a deft feel for the game.
Nat Capitanio, always reliable in Midfield, and a great personality on and off the field.
Joe Baker the great utility player any team needs. Joe played Goal, when needed, although small in body size, Joe was big in spirit and a tough defender. He also played in Midfield and scored a few goals up front.
Steven Reitter (does this name sound familiar? ). Many a time, Steven kept us in some touchy games with some diving saves, which Neuer would have been proud of.
Then, of course, the red headed Greek, Gil Kokkinos. whose red has changed into grey. Hey, he is not the only one whose head covering features a touch or more of Grey. Gil always made me feel comfortable, since he was always a reliable performer. Gil was never flashy but without fail, there when needed.
If my description of this team sounds like a contender for the World Cup Final, ascribe this to my love for "The Good Guys". We shared some wonderful moments together, but also some disappointments: remember the 7:1 loss against Wacker Innsbruck ? These things also have to happen. Only then can you say:
"This team always had Character."
Always a proud Coach:
Bertstravels.
p.s. I hope I have not forgotten anybody.
Unfortunately not everyone could make it: The Stevenato brothers, Paul and Bob (Hollywood and Fets) were away on a joint vacation with their respective families, Carlo Orrico underwent back surgery not too long ago and just started with Physiotherapy.
But Steven Mitro (Mits) sat to my left and gave me some concern, since his tough manner of play, with elbows always threatening, was a constant reminder to behave myself.
Frank Vessio ( Scio, #10, Captain of the team) still has not lost his suave self. A clever ball control and scoring touch were his hallmark.
Then came Ian Searl, "The Duke", a lovely midfielder, (Centerhalf) with great ball distribution and a deft feel for the game.
Nat Capitanio, always reliable in Midfield, and a great personality on and off the field.
Joe Baker the great utility player any team needs. Joe played Goal, when needed, although small in body size, Joe was big in spirit and a tough defender. He also played in Midfield and scored a few goals up front.
Steven Reitter (does this name sound familiar? ). Many a time, Steven kept us in some touchy games with some diving saves, which Neuer would have been proud of.
Then, of course, the red headed Greek, Gil Kokkinos. whose red has changed into grey. Hey, he is not the only one whose head covering features a touch or more of Grey. Gil always made me feel comfortable, since he was always a reliable performer. Gil was never flashy but without fail, there when needed.
If my description of this team sounds like a contender for the World Cup Final, ascribe this to my love for "The Good Guys". We shared some wonderful moments together, but also some disappointments: remember the 7:1 loss against Wacker Innsbruck ? These things also have to happen. Only then can you say:
"This team always had Character."
Always a proud Coach:
Bertstravels.
p.s. I hope I have not forgotten anybody.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Good Guys get Sunshine
Sure, it rained, as we left Toronto. By the time we reached Kingston the sun shone brilliantly from an almost cloudless sky... on to Ottawa, where it was almost a little too hot for site-seeing and then to Algonquin Park.
Two days there was really too short. However, we got a little canoeing trip into our activity schedule,
At the halfway mark of which, I dumped my D300 plus lens into two feet of water. You can imagine that this favourite camera of mine (and the only one I have with me, is totally fried. I have had a few conversations with my Insurance adjuster and I will get my "insured value" paid out in full. He will in fact, issue a cheque within a day or so...
On our canoeing trip we saw two young (probably three years old) bull moose.
The Park is as beautiful as I remember it.
Greetings for now from
Bertstravels.
Two days there was really too short. However, we got a little canoeing trip into our activity schedule,
At the halfway mark of which, I dumped my D300 plus lens into two feet of water. You can imagine that this favourite camera of mine (and the only one I have with me, is totally fried. I have had a few conversations with my Insurance adjuster and I will get my "insured value" paid out in full. He will in fact, issue a cheque within a day or so...
On our canoeing trip we saw two young (probably three years old) bull moose.
The Park is as beautiful as I remember it.
Greetings for now from
Bertstravels.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Monday, 7th July 2014
Is it really Monday ? If so, it must be a "Blue Monday"...
Looked out the window at 6 AM and saw nothing but heavy overcast.
Now, at 7.30 AM it is raining !
Did you hear ? It Is Raining.!!!
Rain is not in our itinerary... it is against all that was expected.
In fact, if it is not against the Law, it surely should be !
Who goes into Algonquin Park when it rains ?
Mad Dogs and English Men go out in the Noonday Sun !
But who goes to Algonquin Park in the morning- noon- or afternoon Rain ?
Cool Cats and Canadians... that's Who !
Looked out the window at 6 AM and saw nothing but heavy overcast.
Now, at 7.30 AM it is raining !
Did you hear ? It Is Raining.!!!
Rain is not in our itinerary... it is against all that was expected.
In fact, if it is not against the Law, it surely should be !
Who goes into Algonquin Park when it rains ?
Mad Dogs and English Men go out in the Noonday Sun !
But who goes to Algonquin Park in the morning- noon- or afternoon Rain ?
Cool Cats and Canadians... that's Who !
Kingston to Ottawa
Right after breakfast we left the hotel and drove North on highway 15.
Highway 15 wends itself leisurely along the Rideau Canal and on several occasions you may leave the highway and drive West for a few kilometers to one of the 49 locks which lift boats from Kingston, Ontario all the way up to Ottawa, the Nations capital.
The trip, over 202 km, takes about 4-5 days, along rivers, through picturesque lakes, out of one lock and then into another, until all 49 of them have lifted you up and away.
In the building process only very few workers lost their lives through work accidents, ( 7 in 1827 ) but over 1000 died of Malaria.
Should you be interested in more facts about this "Heritage Waterway", I can recommend that you Google:
www.rideau-info.com/canal/map-waterway.html
Ottawa has become a very nice, I would almost say 'beautiful' town of about 900,000 inhabitants with many interesting structures, art galleries, museums in both, Ottawa and across the river into Quebec, Hull.
You may wonder why I say that Ottawa has become a beautiful town:
When I lived there from May 1955 to April 1957 it was a "cow town". Although it was the capital, I was told that diplomatic Ambassadors feared an appointment to Ottawa, due to its dull, provincial nature.
Today it is a thriving, bustling, beautiful and interesting small Metropolis, the Capital City of a wonderful country.
That, in any event is the considered opinion of
Bertstravels.
Highway 15 wends itself leisurely along the Rideau Canal and on several occasions you may leave the highway and drive West for a few kilometers to one of the 49 locks which lift boats from Kingston, Ontario all the way up to Ottawa, the Nations capital.
The trip, over 202 km, takes about 4-5 days, along rivers, through picturesque lakes, out of one lock and then into another, until all 49 of them have lifted you up and away.
In the building process only very few workers lost their lives through work accidents, ( 7 in 1827 ) but over 1000 died of Malaria.
Should you be interested in more facts about this "Heritage Waterway", I can recommend that you Google:
www.rideau-info.com/canal/map-waterway.html
Ottawa has become a very nice, I would almost say 'beautiful' town of about 900,000 inhabitants with many interesting structures, art galleries, museums in both, Ottawa and across the river into Quebec, Hull.
You may wonder why I say that Ottawa has become a beautiful town:
When I lived there from May 1955 to April 1957 it was a "cow town". Although it was the capital, I was told that diplomatic Ambassadors feared an appointment to Ottawa, due to its dull, provincial nature.
Today it is a thriving, bustling, beautiful and interesting small Metropolis, the Capital City of a wonderful country.
That, in any event is the considered opinion of
Bertstravels.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
two planets
Two planets, cruising in the Universe, come pretty close to each other.
"How's it going ?" asks one and the other, just shruggs his shoulders and says: "Oh, not so good!"
"What's troubling you?" asks the first planet .
Ach, sighs the other, "I have a severe case of Mankind...."
"Don't worry", soothes the first: "This doesn't last long."
"How's it going ?" asks one and the other, just shruggs his shoulders and says: "Oh, not so good!"
"What's troubling you?" asks the first planet .
Ach, sighs the other, "I have a severe case of Mankind...."
"Don't worry", soothes the first: "This doesn't last long."
Kingston, Ontario
We left home at about 8AM and after some difficulties, caused by Detours in Kingston, we found the Holiday Inn. I had no reservation and the City is very very busy. Big Holiday time !!!
Upon the clerk's question I gave him my last name. 2 seconds later he asked: Mr. Reeter, do you still live in Bleeburg ? So I told him, yes I still live there, but we changed the pronunciation, along with that of my last name to Reitter and Bleiburg. We had a good laugh and I got, so he claims, the very last room.
At the price they now charge, it should be the very last room.....
Tonight we intend to stroll a bit around Kingston and tomorrow we aim for the Rideau Canal, in the direction of Ottawa.
Jan, my companion, is an absolute delight. Intelligent, smart and friendly. He wants to do the dishes at home, and, although we use the dishwasher, his help in stacking and then emptying the machine and putting the dishes away, while I sit there, reading the paper, is sheer delight.
Today was a good day! Let's see what tomorrow will bring.
Bertstravels.
Upon the clerk's question I gave him my last name. 2 seconds later he asked: Mr. Reeter, do you still live in Bleeburg ? So I told him, yes I still live there, but we changed the pronunciation, along with that of my last name to Reitter and Bleiburg. We had a good laugh and I got, so he claims, the very last room.
At the price they now charge, it should be the very last room.....
Tonight we intend to stroll a bit around Kingston and tomorrow we aim for the Rideau Canal, in the direction of Ottawa.
Jan, my companion, is an absolute delight. Intelligent, smart and friendly. He wants to do the dishes at home, and, although we use the dishwasher, his help in stacking and then emptying the machine and putting the dishes away, while I sit there, reading the paper, is sheer delight.
Today was a good day! Let's see what tomorrow will bring.
Bertstravels.
Friday, July 4, 2014
Good Old Toronto
Well, I am back in good old TO and it is as lovely a town as I remember.
As clean as a whistle, all the trees (and there are hundreds of thousands of them throughout this town) in juicy Green.
The hustle and bustle of a big City, cranes dot the skyline between skyscrapers. The tallest one will be 85 stories. They have just completed the 70th floor... 15 more to go.. and guess what : the ones right up to about the 60th floor, largely already sold as Condos. ... The people are, so Jan observed, exceedingly friendly.
We walked the downtown for hours... my feet were about to fall off... and in all this time and in this large area covered by us, we saw fewer than half a dozen beggars. I see that many or more on the "Alter Markt" in Klagenfurt. Also, remarkable, we saw two patrols of two cops each on bicycles, leisurely cruising down Yonge Street. I just asked Jan if he remembered any others: Yes, he says, there were two police cars which he saw somewhere in the downtown area.
So it seems, Toronto still is a peaceful, clean place in which to wander about and enjoy a great day.
I am sitting in a Starbucks where they feature free wireless Internet connections. It'll take a few days before I get my own in my home at 53....
Till next time, when I have more time available. I can only drink so much coffee...
Signing off and sending all of you my best
Bertstravels.
As clean as a whistle, all the trees (and there are hundreds of thousands of them throughout this town) in juicy Green.
The hustle and bustle of a big City, cranes dot the skyline between skyscrapers. The tallest one will be 85 stories. They have just completed the 70th floor... 15 more to go.. and guess what : the ones right up to about the 60th floor, largely already sold as Condos. ... The people are, so Jan observed, exceedingly friendly.
We walked the downtown for hours... my feet were about to fall off... and in all this time and in this large area covered by us, we saw fewer than half a dozen beggars. I see that many or more on the "Alter Markt" in Klagenfurt. Also, remarkable, we saw two patrols of two cops each on bicycles, leisurely cruising down Yonge Street. I just asked Jan if he remembered any others: Yes, he says, there were two police cars which he saw somewhere in the downtown area.
So it seems, Toronto still is a peaceful, clean place in which to wander about and enjoy a great day.
I am sitting in a Starbucks where they feature free wireless Internet connections. It'll take a few days before I get my own in my home at 53....
Till next time, when I have more time available. I can only drink so much coffee...
Signing off and sending all of you my best
Bertstravels.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Good News / Bad News
One of Austria's Newspapers reported, quoting the Accounting firm Ernst & Young, that the large corporation of the USA are showing signs of strong economic recovery, particularly, when compared to their European counterparts.
Excluding Banks and Insurance Companies, European Producers, during 2013 over 2012, showed an increase in Sales of 0.5% and a reduction in Profits of 3% .
During the same period, the 300 largest Corporation in the USA registered an increase in Sales of 4%
and an increase in Profits of 5%.
Europe's top 300 Corporations were able to generate profits of
643 billion US Dollars, while the 300 largest corporations in the
US of A showed profits of 831 billion US$.
US firms were found to be more profitable, stronger and more modern.
When the big Economic Collapse seemed to threaten first the USA and then Europe, I, knowing nothing of "Big Business", predicted that the USA will recover quicker and stronger than Europe.
I was asked then, why I thought that and what statistical information did I have to justify such a bold statement.
First I had to admit, that I had Zero statistical information, and almost Zero knowledge of what is called "Big Business".
But I do know the American spirit of work, their innovative approach to a problem, their willingness to change, sometimes fundamentally, to compromise "the way it has always been done" and start a new way.
While it seems that the European Businessman is more true to the "old and tried way" and reluctant to sudden changes of "the system".
Obviously the above analysis cannot be applied across the board. There are those and there are these on both Continents.
The results, however, tend to give the entrepreneur of the USA the edge.
Bertstravels hopes
that everybody does well.
Excluding Banks and Insurance Companies, European Producers, during 2013 over 2012, showed an increase in Sales of 0.5% and a reduction in Profits of 3% .
During the same period, the 300 largest Corporation in the USA registered an increase in Sales of 4%
and an increase in Profits of 5%.
Europe's top 300 Corporations were able to generate profits of
643 billion US Dollars, while the 300 largest corporations in the
US of A showed profits of 831 billion US$.
US firms were found to be more profitable, stronger and more modern.
When the big Economic Collapse seemed to threaten first the USA and then Europe, I, knowing nothing of "Big Business", predicted that the USA will recover quicker and stronger than Europe.
I was asked then, why I thought that and what statistical information did I have to justify such a bold statement.
First I had to admit, that I had Zero statistical information, and almost Zero knowledge of what is called "Big Business".
But I do know the American spirit of work, their innovative approach to a problem, their willingness to change, sometimes fundamentally, to compromise "the way it has always been done" and start a new way.
While it seems that the European Businessman is more true to the "old and tried way" and reluctant to sudden changes of "the system".
Obviously the above analysis cannot be applied across the board. There are those and there are these on both Continents.
The results, however, tend to give the entrepreneur of the USA the edge.
Bertstravels hopes
that everybody does well.
GERMANY 2 . ALGERIA !
Although a low- and late scoring affair, it was the most exciting game so far in an exciting World Cup of Soccer.
A game neither team should have lost.
Both should have been allowed to go on into the next round. Unfortunately this is not in the books and one team had to loose.
The only possible way this game could have been even more thrilling, would have been a last minute goal by the Algerians and one team to win in a shoot out.
This, in any event, is the considered opinion of
Bertstravels.
A game neither team should have lost.
Both should have been allowed to go on into the next round. Unfortunately this is not in the books and one team had to loose.
The only possible way this game could have been even more thrilling, would have been a last minute goal by the Algerians and one team to win in a shoot out.
This, in any event, is the considered opinion of
Bertstravels.
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