Muslim Family Travel To Israel, What Happens Next is Hilarious!

A feel good video. Stunning hotel with views over the city. Rare glimpse inside the spacious great mosque.

Religious buildings: Churches, Chapels, Mosques and Dress Code in Greek-Speaking Cyprus, Lazarus, raised from the dead

 

Trevor, discreetly photographing the church in Lofou, Cyprus. 

Nobody seemed to notice or care that he was wearing shorts.

Photo by Angela Lansbury. A photographer might be asked or might volunteer to give some money to the church. The faithful might light a candle.

Church, Lofou, Cyprus

Church, Lofou, Cyprus. Photo by Angela Lansbury

I had visited churches in Greece so I thought I knew a bit about what to expect in Cyprus. In Greece I had learned, notably, do not walk behind the altar! Because that area is reserved for the priests. 

Protestant churches are simple, with plain crosses. 

Roman Catholic churches feature statues of Jesus, Madonna, and saints, and paintings of saints, and crosses with Jesus on the cross.

 (And confession boxes.

 And baptismal fonts - a big at least baby sized bowl on a plinth by the entrance. The Baptist church in Harrow in England has a deep square area where you can step down when it is filled with water. A bit like the Jewish mikvah for bathing women head to toe in running water after menstruation.)

 Greek orthodox churches feature paintings of the saints. Each holy building has a relic of the saint - it could be as small as half a fingernail. 

Sometimes trees or statues are hung with paper and symbols. The paper has prayers. The symbols are symbolic parts of the donor's or well-wisher's family member's body - parts which are sick and need healing. 

The Little Church in Lofou

We left Limassol for a rustic hotel in the mountaintop village of Lofou where we arrived just before twilight, time for a walk before dinner on our one night stay. 

From our bedroom we heard the call to prayer echoing around the hillside village and across the valley. I was worried that we would be woken at night. I was woken by cathedral bells on the hour in some European cities. On my honeymoon in Morocco, at the grand hotel Mamounia in Marrakesh. I was woken by the dawn call to prayer. I thought it was a fire alarm announcement and called hotel reception to find out what the call meant.

I was thinking of this as we walked off down the empty streets past massive carved wooden doors and wooden shutters. Later over dinner I was to learn that the abandoned village had been restored by out host who had set up his guesthouse and attracted others to open a couple of shops, restaurants and guest houses. 

We did a long circuit down to the church. 

I was impressed by the carved wood armrests for those who stand around the walls throughout the service.

The sound from the church was so loud within the church that I retreated outside, fearing damage to my hearing. However, all's well that ends well. After the service, by dinner time, all was quiet. I was glad that my night was totally peaceful.

Our next stop was the Rodon hotel in little Agron. It was our base for hikes in different directions each day.

Photo from Wikiedia. Panagia Asinou Church, in the Nicosia District, Cyprus.

Trip From Troodos to Panagia Asinou Church, in the Nicosia District

My friends on my hiking tour, based in the Troodos mountains, at the Rodon hotel, whose name means Rose, did a hike which starts near the church. 

The name of the church is Panagia Asinou.

Panagia is Greek for Virgin, meaning the virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. Asinou is the name of a village. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Saint_Lazarus,_Larnaca

Panagia (Greek: Παναγία, fem. of panágios, pan- + hágios, the All-Holy.

It is near the village of Nikitari.

The so-called church is actually a chapel belonging to a distant monastery. The building looks small and built of rustic stone from the outside. 

By the front door you can read about the interior if it is closed. Hang around. We arrived at 11 am and it seemed to be closed. We walked around the outside and sat on a bench and ate sandwiches. The janitor arrived and unlocked, without telling us what was going on, or if there was an entry fee.  

We stared in amazement at the interior. Every wall and niche was covered with paintings of crowd scenes. Birth of Jesus, crucifixion, resurrection of Jesus, or Lazarus, his mother, Mary, asleep or dead. Some gruesome tortures representing hell - I was sorry I had seen them. 

Suddenly a coach party arrived with a French speaking guide arrived. She explained something about one of the many figures in paintings being Saint George with the red cross behind his head. How much more had I missed! I sighed. I wished I had had a guide book, in English.

The hikers returned, parked their cars nearby, stopped for a quick look. The German tourists were busy reading their guidebooks. 

The chapel's priest arrived. The inside is a UNESCO world heritage site. The French speaking coach party left. I and a non hiking friend went to sit outside. The priest locked up. No sign about opening hours. 

The attractive restaurant building opposite, across the road, was closed. 

Our group walked around the corner to another huge restaurant

Forviotissa Restaurant

Forviotissa is the name of a plant, the milkweed family,

The man in charge of the restaurant proudly said the restaurant name makes the restaurant sound healthy and natural and rustic.

 The front reception room is a large rustic shop and amusing with lots of food and drink and knick knacks on sale.

The huge back room had long tables for groups.

 Nothing to remark on about the food, but pleasant enough. The delightful decor outshone the menu. I remember the decor. I have forgotten the menu. I thought the food and drink on sale was more unusual.The bottles of drink on sale looked interesting.

Time to travel on.

All around Cyprus you will find Greek Orthodox churches, Russian Orthodox churches, Roman Catholic churches, Anglican, Maronite, mosques, and a synagogue in Larnaka.

The Church of St Lazarus, Larnaka

In Larnaka we walked into the Church of St Lazarus. He was a long time friend of Jesus and was the brother of Mary and Martha, and was, according to the gospel of St John in the New Testament, supposedly raised from the dead by Jesus. After being in the tomb for four days.

 Lazarus left for Cyprus (like many modern visitors from Israel), heading for a place where he was welcomed. From the age of 30 to 60 he was their bishop.

Lazarus rose up in the hierarchy of Christianity in the 1st century AD. The Christians later parted company from the Judaism of the day.  ( According to one political view, Jesus was the 'King of the Jews' trying to rouse rebellion to get independence from Rome, and therefore was hunted and persecuted by the Romans).  

Lazarus went into exile, or you might see him as a missionary, because he became a bigwig in the early church in Larnaka, its first Bishop. (The council of Jerusalem was discussing subjects such as circumcision, baptism, kosher food, for Jews who were active followers of Jesus, as well as what to do and demand when converting gentiles.  Romans in entirety adopted Christianity only two hundred years later, under Constantine in 313 AD.)  

Church of St Lazarus, Larnaka

The famous story of Lazarus, being resurrected from the dead by Jesus - didn't happen here. 

However, but Lazarus did die here, eventually, for the second time, and was buried here. You can start by walking along the shady cloisters around the outside of the cathedral whilst waiting for the interior to open.

The tomb of Lazarus, Larnaka.

Yes, we don't have the body of Jesus but we have Lazarus. Er, not quite all of him. At first sight, nothing at all. You can go down into the crypt and see empty niches where Lazarus was supposedly buried before being moved. He was taken to a Turkish church in Turkey. Removed by Crusaders. Lost. 

Another theory says that later a Turkish Christian brought a small relic of Lazarus back to Cyprus, to establish this church in Larnaka.

Then, in recent time, parts of an ancient body were found buried in the church in Larnaka in Cyprus, either kept behind deliberately, or left behind accidentally. Lazarus travelled more after death than he did during his lifetime.

The Larnac building was at one time a mosque, at another time a Roman Catholic church.

Not much to see, or read, but a must do. 

Another tomb of Lazarus is in the West Bank.

Larnaka has an important airport, which grew after the capital of Nicosia was split between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish occupied

Nicosia and Northern Cyprus.

Mosque & Mausoleum

We flew in and out from Paphos on the west coast with RyanAir. As we drove out of Larnake on our way back to Paphos, to catch our flight home, we drove past the white salt lake and stopped at the mosque which is the burial site of an important member of Mohammed's extended family. 

You see the dome of the mosque as you drive around the salt lake, which is extensive, on both sides of the road (near the airport), depending on weather and time of day, appearing either all or partly white.

The complex is called Hala Sultan Tekke. The word tekke means nunnery.

The small mosque. 

Tomb of another important relative, descendant, of the prophet Mohamad.

An adjoining area where you can peer through a lattice at a large tomb covered in green embroidered cloth. Plus two more similar, smaller tombs. 

Not a lot to see and read. But very peaceful, with arches and shadows. 

Dress appropriately. Be prepared to remove shoes indoors. When I was there, one member of a visiting coach tour, I think it was the group leader, got into a heated exchange with the guard.

No fee was charged. 

See my other post on the magnificent, massive, new and blue and gold, modern Russian Orthodox church. I thought the Russians were all anti-religion since Communism. Apparently not. 

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_painted_churches_in_Cyprus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_Cyprus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mosques_in_Cyprus

Church Building Sections

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_(building)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Church

The Chapel

http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/da/da.nsf/All/DFF2A4E1304462C1C2257199002B111C

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g190383-d2408822-Reviews-Panagia_Asinou_Church-Nicosia_Nicosia_District.html

Lazarus In Cyprus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Saint_Lazarus,_Larnaca

Lazarus in the West Bank

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_Lazarus

Muslim Mausoleum & Mosque

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hala_Sultan_Tekke

Jewish

(Museum planned in Larnaka.)

 www.chabadcyprus.com
http://www.jewishcyprus.com/

The Maldives - an archipelago

The Maldives is an archipelago which means a group of islands. It is in Asia (south of Sri Lanka which is off the south of India.)  The capital is Mahe, on what is known as the king's island.

What to do

Submarine

Fishing

Island hopping

Museum

Friday mosque

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldives

http://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2020/10/lets-look-at-maldives.html

Beirut and Lebanon you can only see now as an armchair traveller

Flag of Lebanon

The flag of Lebanon features the Cedar of Lebanon, the tree which is the symbol of the country. The tree also appears on the national airline.

Coins show the Cedar of Lebanon and writing in Arabic on one side and French on the other side. Handy languages to know are Arabic and French as well as English.



The name Lebanon comes from the Latin for the white mountain Mons Libanos, like the Hebrew Laban meaning white.
Beirut is on the western side of the country, on the East of the Mediterranean Sea. To the East are snow-capped mountains.

Beirut, meaning wells, comes from the Phoenecian word, similar to the Hebrew Be'rot.

Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon was once nicknamed the Paris of the East or Paris of the Middle East. (Also the Switzerland of the Middle East.)

Road signs are in standard Arabic and French. Sounds good. Unfortunately, the city has been hit by one calamity after another. Let's take a look at what has gone and what must be restored and rebuilt.

From Wikivoyage

	WARNING: Following the explosions in the port on 4 August 2020, it is advised to refrain from traveling to Beirut to prevent hindering rescue services. If you already are in Beirut, consider leaving the city if not helping with disaster remediation efforts. Many buildings were completely leveled and damages were reported up to 10 km from the explosion, and as such there will obviously be a long time before life in Beirut is back to what it was before.
	Government travel advisories Australia   Canada   Germany   New Zealand   United Kingdom   United States
	(Information last updated Aug 2020)

On August 4th 2020, according to the photos, videos and reports an explosion took place, a double explosion, thought to be first fireworks stored (sparked by a welder), then explosives stored.

Destroyed, the grain silo on the left, crater left by explosion on the right. Photo from Wikipedia article on Beirut explosion.

The blast destroyed the port, a grain silo, a ship, and many surrounding historic buildings. Let's see if we can add pictures to the names and names to the pictures and maps.

The city is currently off my travel list for several reasons.
1 Dangers of terrorism.
2 Covid19
3 Destruction of Museums and tourist sites
4 Destruction of hotels

What can you still see on the internet?
(Post being written. I have saved to preserve the draft. Come back tomorrow)

THE THREE MAIN LANDMARKS
The three main landmarks are Place Etoile, where the Parliament is situated, Martyr's Monument in Martyr's Square, and on the edge of the city, Pigeon Rocks, where patrons sit at cafes overlooking the rocks in the sea,


Beirut, Place Etoile
French for place or square of the star.

Martyr's Square

Martyr's Monument, Martyr's Square, Beirut


Pigeon's Rock, Beirut, Lebanon

MUSEUMS

National Museum of Beirut

Pre-history to medieval times. The museum was already destroyed in the Lebanon civil war, but many items inside were saved and the museum was restored. It was showing a video on the hour about how it had been restored.
This time, in 2020, however, the staff had no warning of the damage to come.

Sursock Museum
The home of the owner of the same name, built in the 1900s, on the street bearing the family name, alas wrecked before it could reach a centenary. Showed Lebanese art and modern art.

In 1912, the wealthy and prominent Lebanese aristocrat Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock built the private villa that now houses the museum. He decreed in his will that the villa be transformed into a museum. When he died in 1952, he bequeathed the villa to the city of Beirut.The museum opened its doors in 1961,

American University of Beirut (AUB) Museum
FREE!
The AUB has several thousands undergrads, postgrads and staff. The museums include the Archaeological Museum, Geological Museum, and Natural History Museum. Visitors must enter through the main campus entrance and show ID.


AUB view of the sea.

Romans

Roman Baths on Bank Street. Beirut. Lebanon.




Map from Wikivoyage.

Cathedrals, Churches and Mosques

Church of Saint George Maronite and Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque side by side in Downtown Beirut

Synagogues


Maghen Abraham Synagogue
The name means shield of Abraham. Maghen Abraham like Maghen David. (Magen David is star of shield of David (the six point star used to decorate buildings and fabrics and used as jewellery).
The building is in the downtown or city centre and according to a report I read has escaped major damage.

Another synagogue elsewhere in Lebanon is closed for security reasons.

Deir Synagogue, Lebanon

Around  Lebanon

The country is relatively small, so no single journey to any other city should take more than two hours. Archaeological sites and architectural heritage include Baalbek, Byblos, Sidon, Tripoli, and Tyre. Most of these cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Other sites of notable interest are Jeita caves, Qadisha valley with its monasteries, and Zahle.

Lebanon



Wikivoyage says
WARNING: The U.S. State Department (last updated: May 29, 2015) specifically warns of threats to U.S. citizens in Beirut: "Protesters have blocked major roads to gain publicity for their causes, including the primary road between downtown Beirut and Rafiq Hariri International Airport temporarily without warning. Access to the airport may be cut off if the security situation deteriorates.[...]

The last wave of bombings in Beirut began in June 2013 and ended in mid-2014 with hundreds of dead and injured, including at least two U.S. citizens killed. The security services have made great progress in improving their capacity to detect and intercept terrorist attacks, resulting in a marked decline in suicide and car bombs, but many extremist groups remain actively engaged in planning attacks. These regularly involve suicide bombers, many of whom have detonated their vests or vehicles short of their targets.

Hizballah maintains a strong presence in parts of south Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and areas in southern Lebanon. Hizballah has been the target of attacks by other extremist groups for their support of the Asad regime in Syria. The potential for violence between Hizballah and other extremist groups throughout the country remains a strong possibility. Hizballah and other groups have at times detained and extensively interrogated U.S. citizens or other foreigners for political motivations."

How lucky we are to be in other countries, and to be able to view on the internet as armchair travellers what was once a great city.

TRANSLATIONS
Abu/Abou Father (as in Abu Dhabi, father of the deer, capital and second biggest population city in the United Arab Emirates)
al - the (?)
ein - (water?)
Ras Beirut - Head of Beirut (Like the Hebrew word Rosh as in Rosh Hashanah, meaning head (of) the year, and Rosh Pinah school)
Tripoli  - from Greek Tripolis, for three cities (tri as in tricycle, polis as in politics)

Useful Websites (Alphabetically)
Simple Wikipedia
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beirut

Tripadvisor
Good pictures, comprehensive, reminded me that there is a wine and history tour.
https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Attractions-g294005-Activities-Beirut.html

Wikimedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyrs%27_Monument,_Beirut

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Beirut_explosions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Lebanon

Wikitravel
https://wikitravel.org/en/Beirut

Wikivoyage
https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Beirut

Museums
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Beirut
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_University_of_Beirut
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sursock_Museum

Religious Buildings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_el_Qamar_Synagogue
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beirut#/media/File:Maghen_Abraham_Synagogue.jpg

About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

What to see in Gibraltar

Gibraltar,  the rock is easily identified in profile, sheer on one side, more gently sloping on the other side.


Flag of Spain

When we had a flat in Spain a popular side trip was to Gibraltar. Gibraltar has long been of strategic importance, guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean.




UK flag

 Gibraltar is popular with British visitors. But also has sites of interest to all.
Flag of Gibraltar.

The flag is white in the upper half which does not show up against a white background. You can copy it into a photo edit programme and put a border around it. Or look for a flag flying against a blue sky or other coloured background.

Gibraltar

What to see
The 'monkeys'. Actually Barbary macaques.

Signs in Singapore forbid you to feed monkeys because the wild animals later grab bags from other tourists and families visiting the area and the monkeys get irate when they find bags contain no food.

You can also do a dolphin safari.


General tour including the citadel.

Religious Buildings
You have a church, a synagogue and a mosque. Take your pick. Visit one or all.
See the outside, the inside if you know when it is open and who is permitted to enter.
Gibraltar has four synagogues, all orthodox, and you can see the interiors in Wikipedia.


Gibraltar Hindu temple, interior


.
Gibraltar mosque. Exterior.



The Great Synagogue, one of four synagogues.

Hotels
Must see the Rock Hotel.



The Rock Hotel, Gibraltar



The Rock Hotel, Gibraltar

I remember ordering coffee in the lounge. I asked for brown sugar. They brought the brown sugar. The next day, without being asked, the waiter brought me the brown sugar.

We visited for coffee and a meal on one occasion.

Later we stayed there one New Year's Eve. You could watch the fireworks out in the sea.

My family in the UK this month included a couple went to their relative's flat in southern Spain. A cheap holiday. They also have family members from Morocco. You can take trips from Gibraltar over to Morocco.

Spain is very popular with the Brits. Not just the multi millionaires with yachts. All kinds of people with all kinds of budgets. My window cleaner bought a property in Spain.

Side trips around Spain could include Seville. The city of Seville is capital of Andalucia in Southern Spain. Attractions include the landmark Giralda tower.

Entertainment includes flamenco dancing. Yes, you can dance at a distance for an audience.

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Gibraltar
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar
https://wikitravel.org/en/Gibraltar
https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Gibraltar
https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/SmartDeals-g187510-Gibraltar-Hotel-Deals.html
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/gibraltar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synagogues_of_Gibraltar

OK, so you can go. Which airlines will take you?
https://www.skyscanner.com.sg/flights-to/es/airlines-that-fly-to-spain.html

About the author, Angela Lansbury

I and my family have lived in the UK, Spain, the USA and Singapore. I am a travel writer and photographer and teacher of English A level and English as a foreign language.

Please come to a Toastmasters International Club where the English clubs have a language evaluator or grammarian.  We also have French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil and other language clubs based in Singapore and many more online around the world which because of Covid-19 are now meeting online.

I am President of Braddell Heights Advanced, meeting the first Wednesday of the month, Usually on Zoom. But the other Wednesdays have workshops on app learncool.sg

Incoming president Faith from Wed July 15th 2020 change dates and platforms so please contact the club.

Latest is only two meetings each month.

For meetings learncool it is quicker to type and easier to remember: 

 tinyurl.com/BHACOOL

Useful Websites On Speaking and Languages

https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
translate.google.com
duolingo.com

https://www.duolingo.com/enroll/vi/en/Learn-Vietnamese

https://www.facebook.com/groups/polygotcommunity/

Other Useful Posts By Angela Lansbury Author

https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogs

https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2020/07/where-you-see-six-point-star-of-david.html
https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2019/04/how-to-say-thank-you-in-several.html
https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2019/05/introducing-yourself-in-english-spanish.html
https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2020/01/second-set-of-portuguese-words.html 

Please share links to your favourite posts

How To Get A Good Night's Sleep In Noisy Cities

Sound level meter. Wikipedia.

Problem
Short term
Note if a hotel is near a city centre cathedral which rings bells, or a chiming clock which rings every hour, or mosque which has a call to prayer in the early hours of the morning.

HOTEL HONEYMOONS
Usually it is the wedding party in a hotel playing music until minight or 1 am. Watch out for downstairs discos and marquees on the lawn. Ask for a quiet room.

On my honeymoon in Morocco, I remember hearing a tannoy announcement in the night in Arabic. I phoned down to reception and asked if there was a fire or emergency requiring us to leave the room. The receptionist told me it was a 'dawn' call to prayer from the nearby mosque.

Quiet Rooms
When checking in, ask for a room on the quiet side. Don't accept a beroom next to a buidling site. It's unsightly, and it may be quiet when you check in at 6 pm, but the noise could start at 8 am.

Noisy Coutnryside
Staying in the countryside could be a solution. But not always. You might be able to hear a dog barking from a hilltop miles away. Birds start their chorus at dawn. We were woken for breakfast one day in Scotland. A large cow was mooing outside our bedroom window!

Insect Sounds
And watch out for chocolate wrappers left by your bed. You don't want to hear a gecko (tiny lizard) or any other insect crackling the paper in the early morning.

Sea Sounds
In Florida when a storm whipped up the crashing waves outside our beachfront hotel gave me nightmares about tsunamis. I had asked for a seaview room!

Heating
Clonk clonk, clonk in the pipes. Peple overhead are taking an early morning shower.

Along comes a trolley rattling down the corridor. Two girls on the staff are calling to each other, no doubt some vital information about towels and waking people with Do Not Disturb signs.

Knock knock, "Rooms service. We want to check your mini-bar - are you checking out?"
"I wasn't, but now you have woken me at dawn, please tell management, I'm considering it."

Night Sounds
IF next door are holding a party, nothing worse than four of them drinking from bottles at nigght and alughing at each other's jokes, but you want to sleep. The other side has a TV playing a late night film.

Don't get involved in an argument. Some people are really nice, "Sorry, sorry!"

Better to try getting the night manager to walk around and tap on their door.

QUIET Signs
Some hotels have reminders in the dorridors as you step out of the lift. I recall the first time I aw one at the Greenbrier hotel in West Virginia, USA.

Many pubs nowadays have SH signs outside the front entrance asking you to speak quietly and shut doors quietly in car parks out of consideration for neighbours in nearby houses.

Long term
Nothing worse than renting an apartment in a thriving developing city such as Singapore, or a holiday resort in Spain, and walking up to hear work starting on a building site next door. If you are working from home, or waiting in for visitors, you cannot get away.

When renting, note whether building works or redevelopment works are scheduled.

Great Reduced Rent Deals
On the other hand, if you are overseas a lot, you could get a great rental deal on an apartment if a railway station is due to open within the next three to six months, but currently just a building site and noise. The owners may need to reduce the price. My family did this and were able to arrange a two-year contract next to a new station.

Noise Reduction On Buiilding Sites
I noticed that one building I passed had a sign on the draped padding about noise reduction.

Story About Noise At Night
A family I know told me a story about how a pilot was going to sleep early when noisy building words started at night in their road. She dashed out and told them, "You have to stop making that noise. My husband is a pilot and he needs to sleep."

The foreman replied, "Sorry, madam, we have to dig here because we are repairing a gas connection."

"She replied, 'No, you aren't. This street doesn't have gas. We use bottled gas."

The works manager muttered something and all the foreign workers jumped into an open-sided truck which drove off!

In Singapore police stations such as the one in the Toa Payoh Community Club are open 24 hours.

Noise Remedies
If you wish to sleep soundly, you might consider:
Buying a sound level meter.
1 Playing soothing music.
2 Noise cancelling headphones.
3 Saving ear plugs from your flight, or buying ear plugs in a drug store.

Useful Websites
TRAVEL
DENMARK
http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-26404666/copenhagen-noise-pollution-ruling-in-denmark#
https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/tourist-frontpage
SINGAPORE
https://www.noisyneighboursingapore.com/articles/singapore-noise-regulations/
visitsingapore.com
UK
visitbritain.com
USA
visittheusea.com

SOUNDS & NOISE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise

EARPLUGS & EARPHONES
You will find ear plugs and earphones from all continents at all prices:
https://www.amazon.com/EarJoy-Noise-cancelling-plugs-Aluminum/dp/B01HDDB816
https://www.qoo10.sg/gmkt.inc/goods/goods.aspx?goodscode=582472686&jaehuid=2026058764
https://www.lazada.sg/products/wireless-bluetooth-noise-cancellation-headphone-ph-5050-bl-black-

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Multi-Faith Buildings And Events And Converted Religious Buildings

Problems
I read that the Temple in Jerusalem, described in the books of Kings in the bible, was built by Solomon with help from his northerly neighbour, the ruler of Lebanon who sent logs for beams and decoration carved panels. The temple was in effect, open to more than one nationality and religion. I had previously thought that a multi-faith building, or community centre, was a modern idea. Where do you see multi-faith buildings or ceremonies or events nowadays?

Answers
Many hospitals and airports have multi-faith chapels or rooms for prayer.

I have seen one at Northwick Park hospital. Another is at Heathrow airport in London. Signs and brochures list them at many airports.

A different idea is to use the same buildings cut shared for use on different days.

In the USA, when we were living there in the 1980s, we attended a meeting at a building in Maryland or Washington DC, which was a synagogue on Saturday and a church on Sunday. The sign outside swivelled. On arrival, the person in charge of your group turned the sign. When you left, if you remembered, you might turn it back for the others.

I've heard the same idea of sharing a building suggested for small congregations in NW London. Whoever had a religious building, but cannot afford to run in with a dwindling congregation, can rent it out by the day, or split the annual running costs.

Another option is to take over another religion's building. Two notable examples of this are in Spain.

From a tourist's point of view, in Spain I was intrigued to see a small synagogue which had been converted into a church.

A large and impressive site on the tourist route is the mosque - church of Cordoba in Spain.

In the East End of London an old synagogue (Brick Lane) has been taken over by a mosque.

If you just enjoy the grandeur and decoration of religious buildings, whilst not necessarily wanting to be involved in religions, some lovely conversations of old churches have been made into restaurants in the UK and I went to one in New Zealand.

Universities in the UK are building multi-faith spaces.

UK
http://jewish-heritage-europe.eu/2015/07/24/london-east-end-synagogue-bought-by-neighboring-mosque
https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/terminal-facilities-and-services/prayer-rooms-and-chapel
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/airport-facilities/faith-and-worship/

SPAIN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synagogue_of_El_Transito
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque–Cathedral_of_Córdoba

HONG KONG
Multi-faith space at airport.

CANADA
Toronto multi-faith buildings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multifaith_space

GERMANY
Church-mosque-synagogue planing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27872551

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Finding Free Fun Activities

Problems
I want to learning languages, learn to sing, go to social events. First problem, is where to find an activity. It's not hard to find things to do. But most of them cost money.

Answers
You can earn enough to do everything you want.
1 Or search around and pick the cheapest activity.
2 Or search for a free activity.
3 Or start a self-help workshop group where you can get free accommodation for meetings.
4 Or find an online teaching source, then start a group in your home, watching and learning together, or learning and then teaching others.

 1 When I lived in the USA I was isolated. Later, as an expat in Singapore, I discovered groups attached to the clubs, such as The American Club, The British Club, also the Japanese, French, German, Swiss and other groups. If you joined the club you could go to activities such as courses, most of which charged fees. In Singapore cheaper classes for languages, music, art, yoga, tai chi, are held at Community Clubs (whcih used to be called Community Centres.).

Another source of information is Meetup.

If you are near a large public building such as a church, synagogue or mosque, they may display notices of events, some of which are cheap or free because the venue is provided free to help the members or attract outsiders as a community service or to get new members.

For example, in St Lawrence's church in Edgware, I saw a sign for a singing group.

If no group exists yet, you might consider starting one. First steps are to ask around friends, acquaintances, and people in reception or administration in public buildings.

Free First Time
Many courses offer you a free first lesson. Find out the cost of joining because if you like it, you may decide to join. Take business cards or write your name and phone number of email on a few pieces of paper. Then if you find a friend you can stay in touch.

Free Museums
London's free activities include the Guildhall (check opening times and days on their Website) in the city, mentioned in a previous post. Tourist Boards will tell you about free museums, or free days at museums. In some cities such as Caridff in Wales, major museums run by the local council or government are free.

Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International has many clubs and events which are free for guest who simply observe other trainee speaker, although some events incur fees. It depends on their policy and the cost of the venue.

Toastmasters Worldwide
Toastmasters International began in 1924 in California. It is now in 141 countries with 16,400 clubs and more than 352,000 members. I have been to more than 50 clubs in Singapore, as well as several clubs in the UK, several in China, one in Thailand and one in the Czech Republic. If you want to start a club, attend the nearest one and find a couple of other people who are interested in starting a club in your area. The organisation gives free starter packs and all sorts of help for starting a club.

Useful Websites
https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
https://www.meetup.com

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer, photographer, author and speaker.
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