Turkish Gardens

Turkey is one of the most distinct and diverse countries I've ever visited. It lies mostly in Asia, with Istanbul lying mostly in the nook of Europe. On my last visit, I took a short trip to Cappadocia and was completely blown away by its unique beauty. Located in the heart of ancient Anatolia, this World Heritage Site is basically a series of eroded caves that have become a world wonder. Over centuries geological formations (and a nearby volcano) have shaped the unique caves that remain partially inhabited to this day. It is a major tourist attraction in central Turkey and it's not difficult to see why. 

Moreover, the area was rumored to have been scouted for Tatooine, the native home of Anakin Skywalker, in one of George Lucas's Star Wars films. In the end it wasn't chosen, but anyone can see that Cappadocia would have been the better choice. The region is approximately 400km wide and 250km long so if you ever get a chance to visit Cappadocia make sure to spend at least one night in one of the many nearby hotels as there is simply too much to absorb in simply one afternoon. It's a geological wonder coupled with natural landscape and I don't think it gets more magnificent that that.

To read about this World Heritage Site: Cappadocia or watch some short videos: Watch me

(There is also a completely unprofessional short video made by yours truly below)

Vivaldi Spring

Spring is officially here and although we don't necessarily see trees and plants blossoming all over the place (in most parts of Canada anyway) it's still apparent that something in the air has changed. Salt and dirt tarnished snow is melting before our feet and cyclists are back on the dangerous roads. This delightful season is set to last until June 21st although in my mind summer starts long before. In any case, here are some cherry blossoms from the small Korean town I lived in along with the Spring segment of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!!

Earth Hour 2013

Another "Earth Hour" will be upon us this Saturday, March 23rd at 8:30pm and while millions around the world will surely turn off some lights and save some energy this one-hour effort won't do much to save our planet in the long run. This year the people behind Earth Hour have created an interesting campaign called "I will if you will". Basically people post challenges that they will do if others will sign up to Earth Hour (i.e.: I will shave my beard if 10,000 people sign up). Whether this campaign works or not remains to be seen but I do think that any idea is better than none at all.

Here are some recent grim facts concerning electricity, energy, and environment on Earth:
*Source: If the World Were a Village, 2nd Edition.

• 24% of the population does not even have electricity!
• 73% of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas, etc.)
• Only 10% of energy comes from renewable sources (wind, water, sun, etc.)
• 13% of people do not have access to clean water
• 38% of people do not have access to adequate sanitation
• 32% breathe polluted air on a daily basis

For more information about Earth Hour/Day: 60+ Earth Hour or WWF Blog

Fur Industry

There is absolutely nothing beautiful or luxurious about wearing fur. I'm not one of the fanatics who dumps flour on people who wear fur but honestly cannot understand those who choose to wear animals for fashion. In general I associate those who wear fur with rich socialites who care little about anything but themselves. There are MANY graphic videos that show the shocking treatment of animals who are used in the fur industry but I'll opt not to post them as they can be quite disturbing and if you area reading this blog it is highly unlikely that you own a fur coat unless it was a hand-me-down from a parent or older relative. My mother actually owns a heavy fur coat made out of muskrats but she grew up in communist Czech Republic so she gets a free pass, although I have to admit I am embarrassed walking down the street with her on those cold winter days when she chooses to wear it. 

Other animals that are harvested for their fur include minks, chinchillas, foxes, cats, dogs, and rabbits. In many countries importing the furs is illegal but selling them domestically is somehow legal. There is also the question about animal by-products; what happens to the animals after they are killed and stripped of their fur? In most cases their carcasses are used in fertilizers, organic compost, massive scale crab bait, beauty products, and worst of all: PET FOOD! So even if one loves animals, owns a pet, and stands firmly against the fur industry, they are probably contributing to the increased spread of it by being misinformed and purchasing products that contain these slaughtered animal's by-products. On a more positive note the seal slaughters are on the decline as more people are being made aware of this senseless Canadian tradition. 

To learn more (and watch a short video) about this horrific industry: Fur Kills and for some FAQ's on the sick seal tradition: Atlantic Seal Hunt

(The love of my cat and hate of my mom's fur coat collide)

Tree Time

There is nothing terribly original about this post. Trees appear to be all around us and yet I spend most of the year focusing on computer screens, books, food, or the road ahead. Maybe it's this seemingly endless winter that has got me thinking of trees lately. I suppose there are some parts of the world in the Arctic Circle that rarely see the amount of greenery that most of the world does and yet year after year this is a fact that is taken for granted as deforestation continues. Natural forests around the world are being burned or destroyed for the apparent benefit of mankind. I remember being informed about this in high school over a decade ago thinking there is no way this can continue indefinitely, but so far it has and 12-15 hectares of forest are lost every year. A Joni Mitchell song that I didn't care much for growing up comes to mind and I will share some of the pertinent lyrics.

If you want to hear the song: Big Yellow Taxi or read more about deforestation: WWF 

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

With a pink hotel, a boutique and a swinging hot spot

Don't it always seem to go 

That you don't know what you've got til it's gone

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

They took all the trees and put 'em in a tree museum

And they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see 'em

Don't it always seem to go 

That you don't know what you've got til it's gone

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

Hey farmer, farmer put away that DDT now

Give me spots on my apples but leave me the birds and the bees, please!

Don't it always seem to go 

That you don't know what you've got til it's gone

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

Poetic Flowers

"I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,

Where oxlips and the nodding violet blows,

Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,

With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine."

-William Shakespeare; A Midsummer Night's Dream.