Summer Holidays in Bansko, Bulgaria

Yes, Bansko is known for the its skiing. People flock to the area from all over Europe to enjoy the new facilities and the ideal ski conditions. But what about the summer? Well, summer holidaying in Bansko is also fun. There are plenty of things to do in the mountains and in the town itself to make it a worthwhile holiday destination.

Bansko is crowded in the winter. The taverns are filled with people and the slopes are crowded. Parking can be a problem. But, in the summer, the peace of the mountains and the beauty of the village make it an ideal location for your summer holiday.

The Taverns (Mehani)

If you've been to Bansko in the winter, you know that the mehani are filled with people. Finding a table is difficult. Parking your car is difficult. When all you want to do is relax after a day on the slopes, this can be frustrating.

Not so in the summer. The mehani are significantly less crowded. This means that you will be able to enjoy spending time with the people you are traveling with and can enjoy a few drinks without worrying about the noise or without waiting for a place to sit.

The Mountains

Bansko is an ideal place if you want to spend your vacation enjoying the surrounding mountains. Hiking is a popular activity, and so is picnicking. The surrounding Pirin Mountains, for example, are a popular destination and there are trails and picnic sites located by streams and in meadows. If you are interested in doing either of these activities, ask a local for advice or ask at your hotel.

The picnic sites are well used because it is a popular activity for the locals. They feature stone slabs that are designed for cooking and roasting. The locals prepare dishes such as pork chops and stuffed green peppers. If you do decide to cook using the stone slabs, smear it with bacon grease to prevent food from sticking.

A great hike to try is to climb Vihren, which is 2914 meters high. Vihren is a the highest mountain in the Pirin Mountain range. Since it is the highest peak, climbing it is quite an accomplishment. But, be careful. Vihren means "the gale" and the locals refer to it is "the peak of storms".

Mountains tend to have their own weather patterns, especially when they are tall. The day could start off beautifully but halfway through your climb a storm could roll in. Just be careful and practice good judgment. Don't be afraid to turn around. The mountain will always be there and you can try again some other time.

Other things to do

There are plenty of other things to do. You can watch the sunset near the micro dam, take a train ride, or soak in the mineral springs in Banya, a nearby town. The springs offer a great way to relax and rejuvenate after a stressful week, or even after a physical day climbing Pirin Mountain. There is also a golf course in Bansko.

Although the ski slopes are closed in the summer, it is still a great vacation destination, especially if you enjoy the outdoors. Stay in one of Bansko's hotels or rent a vacation home or apartment. Once you get there you can enjoy activities such as golfing, hiking, soaking in the mineral springs, or picnicking.

PRESLAVA & ELENA - PIQ ZA TEBE (OFFICIAL SONG) (CD RIP) 2010

PRESLAVA & ELENA - PIQ ZA TEBE (OFFICIAL SONG) (CD RIP) 2010



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1gCrhuLrBU&hl=en

Skiing at Bulgaria Borovets

Music is by: Paul oakenfold, (Global underground, New york) CD1 and Deltron, (madness). The video is shot in Bulgaria, (Borovetes) in 2009.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1CA28kkLTg&hl=en

Antique "Why" [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

OFFICIAL VIDEO CLIP Thisvideo was uploaded for promotional purposes. No copyright infringement intended. Every copyright belongs to the original owners. Provided by Paparizou Forum, the biggest international forum dedicated to Helena Paparizou. Support the artist by not sharing released media such as album tracks, join us on: www.forum.elenapaparizou.eu (by joining us you agree not to upload this kind of files).



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEQQCEA8bVU&hl=en

DDR - Bulgaria 16 November 1985 2nd bisected 1/4

GDR-Bulgaria 2:1 (2:1) Qualification World Cup 16 November 1985, Karl-Marx-Stadt, Ernst-Thälmann-Stadium GDR: R. Müller (C); Rohde; Kreer, Sänger, Zötzsche; Pilz, Liebers, Minge, Stübner (77' Heun); Kirsten, Ernst (77' Glowatzky) Bulgaria: Walow; E. Dimitrow; Koew, G. Simitrow, Petrow; Sheljaskow, Gotschew, Gospodinow, Sdrawkow (65' Kolew); Kostadinow, Iskrenow (78' Getow) Referee: Keizer (Netherlands) Att.: 32000 Goals: 1:0 Zötzsche (4' pen.), 1:1 Gotschew (39'), 2:1 Liebers (40')



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UifG8I45igo&hl=en

Bulgaria Air Airbus A320-214 Reg. LZ-FBD Outbound to Varna

A plain vanilla paint scheme adorns this Airbus jet. Bulgaria Air is Bulgaria's national air carrier with a route network fanning out of Sofia Airport (LBSF) to 25 destinations in Europe in addition to Tripoli, Tel Aviv and Beirut. Bulgaria Air also operates charter flights to various destinations including Helsinki-Vantaa.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL7PA18-Hf0&hl=en

Preslava - Obeshtai mi (Official Track 02)

Payner music 2009



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnCiYgJeDm4&hl=en

Ivana - Bezumna tzena

Bulgarian Music Video - song of bulgarian singer Ivana



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2aDbnxu4CE&hl=en

*STOICHKOV* (USA'94-Euro'96 all goals)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LtJhJTB-04&hl=en

Crystal Ski Holidays

Crystal Ski is regarded as the number 1 holiday operator for ski holiday makers. With Crystal Ski you can expect some of the worlds finest destinations at affordable prices, the service, dining and the standard of accommodation is first class some of the most sought after ski locations you will find.

What ever type of holiday you are looking for Crystal Ski has it all, starting with the family ski holidays which are fantastic for all ages and budgets, with a family package many of the hotels have interconnecting rooms which represents excellent value for families or if you prefer you can book into one of the exclusive chalets where you can enjoy the added benefits of private nannies, childrens meals and special discounts and on some holiday packages there are kids free offers as well as discounts on lift passes.

Another fantastic package deal which is back on for 2010/11 is the all in one ski deal, this package offers incredible value for money, this gets you flights, transfers, accommodation, lift passes and ski hire prices starting from as little as £419, this deal offer skiers everything they need to get back onto the slopes with no hassle no fuss just book and all is taken care of.

At Crystal Ski holidays you can book at some of the worlds most desirable resorts to ply your sills on the slopes, within Europe you have Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Switzerland and many more or you can book further afield with top destinations in the USA, and now the chance to book a spectacular trip to Japan in the northern mountains of Hokkaido where you will take in some of the most breathtaking scenery on the mountain ranges, at Crystal Ski they have it all.

Another great feature is the chance to prebook a vast amount of activities and ski equipment before you go, this can save you some valuable time as you do not want to arrive at your destination without planning any of your activities in advance or the booking of your equipment before you go.

Take advantage of the offers on at Crystal Ski deals, starting at £259 and another great thing flights departing at most major UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Sky Digital TV - Watching TV is a Real Fun Now!

The digital satellite broadcast television for the UK, Sky Digital TV covers a vast residential area in the country by offering the maximum digital television channels. Sky TV has already surpassed Freeview & Cable TV in popularity. For receiving sky Digital, a satellite-dish has to be installed outside your house & a special digital-set-top-box above your television set to receive the signals. After the installations have been done, you can easily access various digital TV as well as radio channels. Channels you can enjoy watching include: Sky One, Bravo, Sky Two, Paramount Comedy, UKTV Gold, Dave, Virgin 1, BBC3, E4, Film 4, and several others. You have the option of adding stand alone premium channels such as Disney, Artsworld, Music Choice, and others.

Besides watching/listening to these channels, Sky also gives you free Broadband access. Hence, you don't need a separate broadband connection to check your emails or browse through the web. You can do so with your Digital TV itself. Another most interesting thing is that you can continue recording on a satellite channel while watching some other channel. Enjoy recording of programmes without any video-tape, as you can do this on the integrated hard-disk. You can record two channels simultaneously, & rewind/pause live television. Overall, Sky TV gives you a better experience with a powerful set-top box and a Personal-Video-Recorder.

The features of Sky TV include: a large number of digital television & radio channels, a variety of high definition content, compatibility for accessories, and their revolutionary Sky digital video-recorder. Besides providing entertainment to viewers, the television offers some useful features also such as the Sky Interactive which lets you access television banking, emails, and shopping via Sky Active. This revolutionary TV will certainly make watching television more than just fun for you.

All the Goals of France '98 Part 4

All the Goals of World Cup France 1998



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzq2vRlrYb8&hl=en

Cheapest Places to Travel

Most families must have already planned what they will do during the festive season. However, if you are still pondering whether to take your family on a holiday, then think no more. No doubt a vacation is always expensive and can make a sizable dent in your bank account, but if you select your destination sensibly, then you can save substantial amount of money.

There are several places that a cheap and at the same time offer an enjoyable and relaxing vacation destination. Here are some of the cheapest places to travel to this Christmas with your family:

Costa Rica: Known for its pristine beaches, fantastic tropical climate and friendly people, Costa Rica is the perfect destination for people looking to save money on a vacation. It is located in Central America and is considered to be moderately expensive.

Argentina: If you are looking for natural beauty, outstanding steaks and great wines, then Argentina is the right destination for you. It is a beautiful country and celebrates the festive season with gusto. You have to be there to experience it. Of course, the US dollar to Argentinean Peso exchange rate is quite good, so you get good value for your money.

Hungary: Located in Central Europe, this beautiful country with its magnificent architecture is another cheap destination to think about. There are several pensions and bed and breakfasts that offer cheap accommodation, and the public transport system is pretty good, so you do not have to worry about taking taxis. Once you are here, do not forget to taste the famous Tokaj wines from here.

Other cheap destinations that can give you good value for your money include Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Antigua, Poland, Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Laos.

Investing in Your Holiday Home Abroad

To many, owning a holiday home abroad is nothing more than a dream; a luxury which is the prerogative of the rich and famous or of bank robbers. It's hardly for the likes of ordinary folk like you and me, is it?

Not so! If you investigate the possibilities of joining well over 250,000 other Britons and buying your own holiday home abroad, you could be very pleasantly surprised at how affordable it actually can be, and with property prices currently low but set to rise in many resorts overseas it could represent a real opportunity and provide you with a very high return on your investment.

With expert advice to help you secure exactly the right property, it's really not difficult to buy a home overseas, be it for holidays, retirement or investment. There are some very attractive deals on offer. With some, you may only have to pay as little as 15% deposit, with nothing else to pay for three years and with 85% mortgages available, together with free packages for furniture of the highest quality! If you choose your advisers carefully, those people in the know will guide you every step of the way and ensure that the entire experience is stress-free and enjoyable.

Just imagine the sheer joy of having 300 days of sunshine a year virtually guaranteed; balmy temperatures, no grey skies and an umbrella as rare as hens' teeth. Think how it would be to enjoy fabulous views of beautiful mountains and clear blue skies from the balcony of your luxury furnished apartment, ski chalet, villa or penthouse, and to be within just a few minutes walk of a pristine, white sandy beach or a superb golf course with all the amenities.

So what would be your fancy? A townhouse on the coast of Spain with its amazing beaches and intriguing culture? Or for a relaxed and informal lifestyle with great food, exciting nightlife, magnificent scenery and almost constant sunshine, you'd have to go a long way to beat a property in Crete. There again, have you considered Egypt, another very attractive option for investors? Definitely a country of the future, its wealth has traditionally come from oil, but this may well change as many predict that tourism will forge into the lead.

How about an apartment in South America's largest country, Brazil? Home to more than 180 million people, this economically developing country with a very low cost of living is becoming increasingly popular with investors and would appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure and a love of excitement, be it a trek through the wild rainforests, a visit to the lively cities or partying at the famous Rio de Janeiro carnival.

Those with a fascination for history could not fail to be smitten by beautiful Bulgaria, with its immaculate beaches, sparkling clear lakes and rivers, magnificent mountains, gorges and natural hot water springs. It's an enthralling country, rich in ancient monasteries, churches and mosques and with folklore traditions dating back more than thirteen centuries. Furthermore, as an investor, Bulgaria will offer you real value for money.

If your yen is for a superb climate, colourful culture and friendly people, you'd find Turkey hard to beat. With miles and miles of dramatic coastline, beautiful seas and pine-clad mountains, it's little wonder that it's become so incredibly popular with tourists, and with its current property boom, there's never been a better time to invest in a Turkish holiday home.

A holiday home in the former British colony of Malaysia could well prove to be a lucrative investment for you. It's a wealthy country with a very bright future and a property market looking increasing buoyant, due in part to the influx of investors from nearby Singapore and Hong Kong. Owing to its proximity to the equator, it enjoys a fabulous, year round tropical climate and boasts some of Asia's best beaches.

If you're not looking to retire abroad just yet, why not let your property work for you by renting it out during the holiday season? There are many emerging markets with a lower cost of living than in the UK, offering high rental and capital growth potential. Even the recent problems in the global economy, such as the credit crunch and increases in the cost of living don't seem to have made a dent in people's appetite for travelling abroad. The future's looking much brighter for 'buy-to-let' investments and don't forget, today's cheaper and more frequent flights to many of the popular resorts are making the whole package much more attractive and affordable for everyone.

So you see, you don't actually need to rob a bank. There are far easier and more legitimate ways of turning your dream into a reality...

[TD3.] Hot Sauce - The King Of The Street

Hot Sauce - The King Of The Street,10 minutes of hot sauce crossover king,Hot Sauce Mix,hot sauce aka philip champion in And1 mixtape tour 2002,2003,2004,2006,2007,2009,And1 Mixtape Tour VOL 10,VOL X,and1 mixtape tour 2003 paris,AND1 Mixtape 2007 Sofia bulgaria,hot sauce dunk,And1 Mixtape Tour Budapest,Hot Sauce (AND1) on Best Damn Sports Show Period,Hot Sauce leads the super stars of streetball in Taiwan,AND1 HOT SAUCE asia.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn1QFaghFyM&hl=en

Factbox: Impact of agitable ash billow on Europe

FULL: www.xard.org The European air control means Eurocontrol read it due hot 5000 flights of steps in European air space on Saturday, against 22000 normally. This likened with 10400 fledges against a normal 28000 on Friday it same, lining up figures from an later statement. The office very no landing places or lampoons were possible for civilian aircraft in almost of northern and outstanding Europe, but flights were making place in southern Europe, admitting Spain, the gray Balkans, gray Italy, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. "Forecasts advise that the mist of volcanic ash will stay and that the impact will stay for at least the next 24 hours," the way said in a program line early in the day. The office very that of the 300 transatlantic flights of steps that leaved usually arrive in Europe on a Saturday, only 73 fledges arrived in the morning, when nigh are scheduled to land. It identical that in some of the countries affected, upper air space had go available, but it was serious to accession this as in nigh cases surrounding domains were dingy by the ash tree fog.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGazY28Qfl4&hl=en

Andrea - Men si tarsil (OFFICIAL VIDEO)(HD)

Andrea - Men si tyrsil (OFFICIAL VIDEO)(HD Quality and Resulution)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p3lEkGVEMk&hl=en

BNT Weather anticipation Bulgaria - 19.09.2010 (20:30h)

Теодора Иванова (Teodora Ivanova)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4yRQqJm-HA&hl=en

Semir as a ZOBIE ( Yalta ) on Oct 31 2009

i worked like that at one of the best night clubs in Sofia, Bulgaria. The club is called Yalta. we had such a great time at the 31st of Oct. 2009



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPystv1LZP0&hl=en

Ten Off-The-Beaten-Sand Beaches

1. Konkan coast, Maharashtra, India

Pure white sand, backed by thick, lush forest, characterizes a string of gorgeous beaches running along a 370-km stretch of coast between Vasai and Vengurla. Hedvi, Velneshvar, Takarli, Harihareshwar and Ganpatipule, with its wonderful, red wooden 400-year-old temple, are among the delightful beaches awaiting the traveler ready to go the extra mile to find them. You can get to the coast from Mumbai by train or by air from Goa.

2. Nicoya peninsula, Costa Rica

Reef snorkelling, horseriding, jungle trekking and viewing the forest canopy from a zip-wire, along with the usual beach activities such as surfing, are treats on offer in this fairly remote, far northern region of Costa Rica. The wildlife is extraordinary: half a million turtles lay their eggs on the sand at Ostional beach, every two or three weeks from August to November, and the forests are full of howler monkeys, anteaters, coatis, armadillos and an array of spectacular birds, including the Resplendent Quetzal, with its shimmering green plumage, scarlet belly, white tail feathers and green tail, the rare and rapacious Harpy Eagle and over 50 species of hummingbirds and 75 different flycatchers.

3. Koh Mak, Thailand

Palm trees and the clearest of waters along a stretch of shore 25km long, as well as peace and quiet away from the crowds, are what you can expect on Thailand's so-called 'family island'. Set in the Gulf of Thailand, a little less than 50 km from the Cambodian coast, it's reachable by boat from Trat on the mainland. You can stay here in a bamboo hut, a guesthouse, a thatch and rattan cottage or a good, but budget-priced hotel, and with luck you'll see no one on the bit of beach you choose.

4. Obzor, Bulgaria

The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria has taken off lately as a destination for beach tourists, and nice and clean the beaches are too. Crowded during high season, however, they may not appeal to those who want something more secluded, who may instead look to Obzor, roughly halfway between Bourgas and Varna, where the E87 highway emerges from forested hills into a brief, open coastal stretch. Despite its convenient location and 6-km-long sandy beach (the largest between Golden Sands and Sunny Beach), this remarkably pleasant spot can be almost yours for the taking, even during peak season.

5. Vik, Iceland

Not a place for sunlovers, the remarkable, 10-km-long, black-sand beach at Vik was named one of the ten most beautiful beaches on Earth by Islands magazine in 1991. It is no less beautiful now, with its setting on the crisp-coloured south coast of Iceland, its bird visitors from a nearby colony and the Reynisdrangar, black lava columns sculpted by the sea, nicknamed The Three Trolls. The sea off this coast is rather wild and stormy: even in summer, it feels cold, it looks cold, it even sounds cold! But it is a marvel and a place of glorious seclusion.

6. Ile Sainte Marie, Madagascar

Ile Sainte Marie is a granite island 57 km long and lies 8 km off the eastern coast of mainland Madagascar. Frequented by pirates between the 17th and 18th centuries, it is now a tourist destination, with enchanting beaches, bordered by coconut palms and backed by rainforest. A long, white beach at Pointe des Cocotiers features a marvelous tropical garden and a 20-bungalow hotel. On the eastern coast's peninsula of Amphanihy are more beautiful beaches. Between July and September, the island is a fabulous place for viewing humpback whales, which pass through the channel that separates the island from the mainland between July and September. Go later in the year, October to December, and you can enjoy scuba diving near two wrecks. This tropical paradise has one significant drawback: it rains a lot, even in the 'dry' season.

7. Wild Coast, South Africa

Relatively untouched, the Wild Coast of Eastern Cape is a well-named wild and rocky, typically African haven, where waterfalls tumble into the sea along a stretch of nearly 100km. Its beaches, open spaces and pristine forest areas provide an opportunity for the adventure traveller to discover a variety of leisure options, including fishing, abseiling, snorkelling, diving and trekking in the hinterland. Tourist accommodation is sparse but intimate, which helps to guarantee a memorable holiday there.

8. Angra dos Reis, Brazil

Tourism is highly developed here, but then with a mainland coastline and 365 islands to choose from, you are always bound to find a wonderful beach to yourself, with pristine waters perfect for swimming - among rainbow-coloured fish, if you like - or scuba diving. The town is 151 km from Rio de Janeiro, from where you can take a coach day tour. Better still, stay in the town and do your own exploring of the 2000 beaches. If you can't find one to suit you, you're not looking.

9. Hilton Dahab Resort Beach, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

OK, you won't be the first to discover it, but if you want nothing more than a beautiful beach at a comfortable resort with a quiet, remote, end-of-the-world atmosphere, this beach may be the place for you. The mountains of Arabia face you across the water, and the beach itself offers good opportunities for swimming and snorkelling.

10. Cote de Massa, Morocco

A 90-km strip of golden beaches between Agadir and Tiznit, this coast is still almost untouched, with just one recently opened hotel, sited on the dunes that rise away from the sea. To the far right of the beach at Sidi Moussa d'Aglou, there are three prehistoric fishermen's cave dwellings, but you need to be pretty hardy to visit them. Beware: strong currents make swimming hazardous. The wetland reserves of Souss-Massa National are within near reach.

Summer Holidays Could Be Affected by the Volcano Ash!

This summer is threatened by the volcanic ash and nobody knows what will or could happen. As we can see the volcano keeps erupting over and over again and experts predict that it won't just stop suddenly. This could continue for months on end and could affect people traveling and going on their summer holidays abroad depending on when it all happens.

To make matters worse there is a slight risk that the near by volcano could also become active. Not only would this be a disaster for the travel industry but it could affect a lot of people.

But lets get things straight and not start panicking just yet. Most airlines are happy to refund any flights/holidays you have booked and you will not lose out on anything but traveling on dates that could be affected in the future. This is the only risk you have to take. To book a holiday and hope there won't be any disruptions on those dates.

Apart from that everything is pretty smooth. Traveling to Europe and destinations such as Bulgaria, Spain, Greece and Cyprus will not be affected throughout summer we hope.

Holidays to Bulgaria have become extremely popular, almost as popular as Greece and those will continue as normal this summer unless we are extremely unfortunate to have the volcano active throughout the whole summer. Experts have even advised that the ice around the volcano has now melted which means it will only produce lava from now on and very little ash clouds. So that is a great sign and something to smile about. Lets hope the situation becomes even more stable and no more airports are closed.

Airlines such as BH Air, Easy jet, Wizz Air were affected but are currently operating ok and with very few closures in Scotland at the moment. For those who are traveling now we advise that you contact your airlines before traveling to the Airports and find out the current situation to avoid disappointment.

As on the 10th of May, customers are traveling fine from All London Airports as well as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham.

Another peace of advise is to always contact the tour operator you have booked with or simply visit their website to find out up to date information on what is going on, what to expect and how you are protected if you actually are. We also advise that you take out an insurance for your holiday just in case. Be safe whenever you can be.

The Travel Industry is aware of the worry customers are experiencing and are trying their best to keep the situation under control and provide enough information and good services during any difficult times. However do understand that sometimes there can be hectic with many complaining and placing their own queries regarding their own personal situation.

For holidays to Bulgaria we advise that you visit the specialist in holidays to Bulgaria and find out all the information needed on their website. Book near the time of travel to avoid huge disappointments.

Nieuwe Intro

Nieuwe dude productions intro. Er komen er nog meer, en ik switch een beetje tussen de verschillende.. Trouwens, Betere Kwaliteit! YAAY! ---Negeren--- Paris, France (CNN) -- Some of the Roma deported from France said Friday they plan to return as soon as possible. They flew Thursday to Romania on a French flight, the first of several scheduled to take Roma out of France in the coming days. The French government says the deportations are part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. They follow the government's dismantling in the past three weeks of 51 Roma camps that it called illegal. "Over there, they were giving us food, money ... salary. Life is much better out there -- happier," Mariana Serban, a mother of four, told Romania's Realitatea TV. She told the reporter she did not work in France, and smiled when the reporter pointed out France would not give them any more money. "That's what they say now, but they will give us money again," Serban said. Video: France's gypsy crackdown I am worried about the risks of populism and xenophobic reactions in a context of economic crisis. --Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi RELATED TOPICS France Romania Bulgaria Serban's oldest son, Alexandru, 12, spoke in French as he told the TV station, "It's much better in France. I'm here now for a visit, and I will leave again. I'm staying here for two days only." The Thursday flight carried 79 Roma out of the country, French officials said. Friday's flight, due to land in the ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfGUorH1zQw&hl=en

Music Idol 3 Bulgaria - Alexander Tarabunov from Macedonia - (kasting Sofia)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s1lmQGQt54&hl=en

How to Memorize Ordered Lists Quickly - The Peg Method

Mnemonics is a memory tool to help us remember or memorize lists (like that list you were supposed to remember for your upcoming exam!) Mnemonic devices and methods are perhaps the easiest ways to remember lists of items. The most simple mnemonic method for remembering ordered lists that is commonly used is the Peg Method, also know as the Number Method.

In order to use the Peg Method the first thing you do is to pre-memorize a list of words that form "pegs". Each word or peg represents a number (1-10). There are several different words you can use as pegs but the most common peg words are: bun, shoe, tree, paw, hive, bricks, heaven, gate, line, and hen. Of course you can use your own words but make sure they are easy to remember. When creating the pegs there are a few different methods you can use. Some people create their peg lists alphabetically but this limits the number of pegs you can create to 26. Most people prefer what is called the "Major System" to create the pegs. For example one rhymes with bun, two rhymes with shoe, three rhymes with tree, etc.

Whatever you choose to do you need to link these images to the ones representing the things you want to remember. The sillier the image or compound image, the more effective you will be at remembering it.

Now we are going to use this Peg Method to remember a list of European Capitals by area. For this example we are going to use the most commonly used peg words.

Paris, France - two buns make a pair
London, England - a shoe truck crashes on the London bridge
Sofia, Bulgaria - a tree shaped like a sofa
Rome, Italy - think of paw prints all over a room
Stockholm, Sweden - a hive full of stocks in your home
Berlin, Germany - bricks falling on Burl Ives in the snow
Kiev, Ukraine - think of what heaven's key might look like
Madrid, Spain - a gate only for Mad Id's
Budapest, Hungary - a line of Buddha's stomping on pests
Warsaw, Poland - think of hens clucking about the war they saw

Try to visualize these images. You might want to add colors, sounds, smells, or textures to the images to make them more vivid in your mind. After you memorize the images try writing them down on a piece of paper. You should be able to do this by thinking of the number, then the part of the image associated with the number, and then the whole image. Finally you can decode the image to give you the name of the capital city.

If the mnemonic has worked, you should not only recall the names of all the capitals in the correct order, but should also be able to spot where you have left them out of the sequence. Try it - it's easier than it sounds.

Historical Returns on Real Estate Investments

There are many emotional factors connected with the ownership of Real Estate. Do the historical returns on Real Estate investments justify the confidence so many investors have in them?

The ownership of land has been something that has been rooted deep in the minds of man. Land is seen as the one investment that is solid and permanent. The American Dream has long included the ownership of your own home, but when you move beyond this natural impulse to own property that you can call yours and look at Real Estate purely from an investment opportunity, how does the picture change? Have the historical returns on Real Estate Investment measured up to the confidence it has received.

The answer is a cautious yes. Between 1926 and 1996, the annual average rate of return on Real Estate was 11.1%. During the same period the rate of inflation was around 3%. So, it was obviously a better investment to buy Real Estate than to bury cash in jars in your backyard. However, the rate of return for small stocks checked in a bit higher at around 12% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was a bit lower at 10%. These figures would suggest that Real Estate investments were right there at a par with Stock Market Investments.

Real Estate Investors might want to make the claim that land ownership and its value as an investment predates the Stock Market by thousands of years. They will point to the role that the ownership of land played in the Middle Ages in determining wealth and even nobility. This is true, of course, but in many ways irrelevant to a discussion of the historical returns on Real Estate investments. The new global economy has created a whole new playing field and return of investment must be determined within the scope of this. It is all well and good to study the past to get clues to the future, but in investment the past only offers clues and not answers.

A look at the historical rates of return on Real Estate investments shows that they tend to be more stable and less likely to spike up and down in erratic and unpredictable fashion like the Stock Market. Many investment advisors suggest all portfolios have at least 10% invested in Real Estate for a hedge against market fluctuations. On the other hand, Real Estate investments tend to have high transaction costs and to be in larger units. All properties are unique and each has its own characteristics and potential.

These negative factors have led to the popularity of investments in Real Estate through REITs which are Real Estate Investment Trusts. REITs are a sort of mutual fund of Real Estate which gives investors a way to invest in Real Estate without the problems of high transaction costs or property uniqueness. If you are considering Real Estate investment, either on an individual basis or through a REIT, the historical record should give you some confidence. As much as past performance can reassure us of future success, Real Estate's past has indicated that it is a safe, sound, and high return investment.

Lada Tyres!

There had been a worrying time from day one of buying my Lada. The steering was faulty and from the feel of it a major cost to fix.

Every time a turn was made there was a big bump and the steering wheel just bumped and over-steered. This happened in both left and right directions but the main thing here was that the car still went left and right but suddenly! Added to this the steering was very stiff and Popeye styled workouts were had whenever the driving was made. It was especially hard in Yambol town where much steering and three point turns were needed.

Throughout the two years of owning the car this was something I put up and to me was part and parcel of the Lada drive. I even had other Bulgarian assessing the problem and the sharp intake of breath at the thought of the cost of repair always seemed to the assessed outcome. So it was left, as long as the car could steer that was the prime objective.

The last year or so both front types constantly leaked air. Every few day it was a trip to a garage to pump them up again. Getting he repaired was something that was always put off as it cost money. The tires had good tread and they worked, the air in the garages was free so it carried on. This is how it is in Bulgaria, any way to save money, it is works and is a little inconvenient to keep it working and doesn't cost anything that's how it is.

Finally it was time to get the tires seen to, initially with a view of repairing the existing tires as we had a little spare cash to see to this brought over from working in England. We estimated that this should only cost a maximum of 20 lev for both, but I knew at least one of the tires were beyond repair looking at the bulges on the tyre wall. This had been the state of the tires from day one but again it still rolled on regardless and got us places.

We looked at the cost of tires many times and that just the though of the cost put us off from doing anything about it, until Galia spotted some very cheap tires in a supermarket 70 lev each.

So one day we decided to check these out and looked at the tyre sizes we needed for the Lada. To do this we checked the existing tires sizes on the car and they were found to be 185 (whatever that meant.) The equivalent size was found in the supermarket each amounting to 75 lev. Before committing to buy them we thought we would check out whether they could be repaired.

A particular garage opposite the fire station was pointed out and recommended to us by Galia's son, so on recommendation we checked it out. Dimtar, the owner was fixing a child's motorbike he had imported from England as he attended to our requests to check out what we should do with the two front tires.

He took them both off and it was quite obvious these couldn't be repaired with the state of both of the inside walls. It was no wonder they were loosing air as the rubber was fractured in numerous places and at least three of four nails embedded in the tread. Added to all this they were the wrong sized tires for a Lada. His recommendation was two new tires both corrected sized for the vehicle. Was this a Bulgaria classic trick for us to be hoodwinked into buy two new tires?

We had now breathed a sigh of relief in one hand but held out breath in view of how much he was to charge. Another sigh of relief was made when the cost was 64lev for each tyre fitted, balanced and ready to roll. We agreed and they were set up within 20 minutes.

What a good deal we got in view of the supermarket prices being asked for without fitting or balancing. And what a close shave it was with is going to buy the wrong sized tires from there.

The biggest joy and relief after all this was after all this time with the wrong sized tires on the car and the stress on steering the problem has completely disappeared!

Some Famous Dates Of The Cuban Dictatorship

1959: Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz became dictator.He banned free speech and imprisoned his opponents. All political parties were dissolved. Castro announced plans to "exterminate capitalism".

1960-1978:More than 700,000 Cuban fled to the United States and Mexico. Many sailed secretly from Cuba in boats, some of which were apprehended by the Cuban navy before reached abroad.

1960-2007:Blacks suffered many forms of discrimination. The poverty rate among blacks is almost two times that of general population.

1960-1988:Ever Peñalver Mazorra spent 28 years in prison for his opposition to the communist dictatorship. He was leader of the nonviolent movement for human rights and democracy in Cuba. Peñalver was the world´s oldest and longest-standing black political prisoner of conscience. Like the South African leader Nelson Mandela, Ever Peñalver Mazorra is a symbol of heroic and peaceful resistance in the face of oppression.

1960-2007:Vilma Espín Guillois proclaimed herself president of the Federation of Cuban Women, one of the most powerful organizations in the country.Born into the upper middle class, she studied chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).After of living in the United States, she returned to Cuba when Fidel Castro came to power.She made pro-Castro campaign by all Cuban territory. Espin´s rule was characterized by ruthless and brutal totalitarism and women´s rights violations. Her best friends were madame Elena Ceausescu (first lady of Romania) and Rosario Murillo de Ortega (first lady of Nicaragua).She, who had French ancestry, died on June 18,2007, in Havana.

1961:Like Bulgaria and Poland, Cuba was declared a socialist state.

1961:All American businesses were eventually expropriated. After expelling the Americans, Fidel Castro used the money from their business to reward friends who were loyal to him.

1962:Cuban citizens need official permission to accept work, change jobs, move, or travel abroad.

1962:Fidel Castro created an aggressive regime of agricultural reform. His political social experiment claimed the lives of countless Cubans. They worked the sugar plantations like slaves.

1963: The Cuban Revolution created a strong anti-U.S. stance.

1963-1980: The communists destroyed many churches, made schools of other, and arrested or killed many church leaders who refused to follow communism. Some were sent to mental hospitals.

1964:Fidel Castro set up organizations for young people between the ages of 8 and 16.The communists taught children to spy on their own families and friends and report anti-communist criticism they might hear.

1964:After Leonid Brezhnev became secretary of the Communist Party of the USSR, Soviet financial and military aid to Cuba´s dictatorship increased.The Soviet Union also sent military advisers to help the dictatorship.Cuba became a Soviet colony.

1965-1990:Soviet development of its Caribbean colony was extensive in areas such as culture, railroads, olympic sports, public health, agricultural research, education and literacy. The enormous increase in sugar cane production is considered to be one of the most spectacular achievements of Soviet colonization.

1966-1985:Some of the Soviet Union´s best coaches came to Cuba and opened sports schools. These schools attracted students from all parts of the country.

1967-1990: Havana and other Cuban cities. Ernesto Guevara´s image was displayed everywhere -in every home, university, school and factory.

1972-1990:Relations with the People´s Republic of China deteriorated, with disagreements on foreign affairs and ideology. Different from Cuba and Czechoslovakia, China did not break diplomatic relations with Chile (1973-1990).Fidel Castro critized Mao Tse-tung and began a program to dishonor him. He accused Mao of murdering innocent people and of faulty leadership.

1973: After the military coup against Salvador Allende (President of Chile), Fidel Castro called for Third World countries to apply sanctions against Chile.

1976: Another Constitution was adopted in this year.

1977-1981:Cuban arms aid and advisers were sent to several Third World countries (Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, Suriname, Somalia and Grenada).

1978-1988:Cuba sent 5,000 troops to Ethiopia to assist dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in opposing Eritrean rebels. Fidel Castro endorsed Ethiopian statehood without mentioning Eritrea´s right to exist.

1980:With the tacit approval of Fidel Castro´s dictatorship, the United States absorbed more than 100,000 Cuban refugees (best known as "Marielitos").Castro also sent many criminals and mentally ill people.

1985:Fidel Castro advocate peaceful co-existence with the terrorist states (Lybia, North Korea, Iran and Syria).

1983: Pan American Games.Four Cuban athletes were disqualified from competition for using banned drugs to increase their performance. They were Maria Cristina Betancourt, Mayra Vila, Daniel Nuñez and Alberto Blanco.

1988: Fidel Castro called for a boycott of the Olympic Games. However, 30 Eastern bloc nations to sent athletes to the Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

1992:Jorge Esquivel defected to Italy and soon joined the San Francisco Ballet. Esquivel was one of the world´s leading ballet dancers.

1999:Pan American Games. Cuban athlete Javier Sotomayor Sanabria lost his gold medal in the men´s high jump after testing positive for a drug of abuse. Javier Sotomayor was the best athlete of the Cuban Revolution.

2000: The secret police, or Direccion General de Inteligencia (General Intelligence Directorate), enforced strict loyalty to Castro´s policies on all levels of live. It is also active abroad, spying on Cubans.

2005:Cuba is one of the few countries in the world with a communist dictatorship, which has been led by Fidel Castro since 1959.

2006:While serving as dictator of Cuba, Fidel Castro Ruz contracted cancer. Raul Castro Ruz succeeded his brother as dictator. Previously he was the world´s longest-serving defence minister.

2007-:Raul Castro continued the basically conservative policies of his predecessor.

Queenstown - The Premier Ski Town For Australians

Many people from Australia may or may not know this about Queenstown New Zealand, but it is generally cheaper to spend your hard earned holiday money in New Zealand than it is in their native Australia. A simple direct flight right into the heart of skiing action is a fairly straightforward journey to boot.

But I mentioned how Queenstown is generally cheaper than typical Australian locations, and this is true. Everything from accommodation to skiing activities are cheaper here. The fact that the Australian dollar is about twenty eight percent stronger than the New Zealand dollar certainly helps in stretching your money as well. And what do you get for your money? A world class ski town with some of the most beautiful sceneries ever to be found in this part of the world.

The 2010 skiing year certainly has a bit of excitement about is mainly because of the winter Olympics being held in Vancouver Canada. Such events almost always produce a dramatic increase in snowboarding and skiing worldwide. As such, you can expect to see a large increase in the number of new skiers this year. And where better to try your hand at this exciting sport than at Queenstown.

Queenstown is a small resort city located south of New Zealand's south islands. Settler appeared in this area sometime around the early eighteen hundreds where they were typical farmers. But that all changed with the discovery of gold. Today, Queenstown is considered by many to be one of the best areas to visit for an Alpine holiday.

Not just a great spot for those looking for a white holiday, Queenstown is also a great place for those with adventure in mind. To get your blood pumping there are the ever popular bungee jumping activities that are usually popular with the younger crowd. For those looking to take in the magnificent surroundings, guides can be hired that can take you into the National Park in the area.

One doesn't need to be rich to have a great time here as there are many types of accommodations that cater to holiday makers on a variety of budgets. You can live like a king or hitchhike around the area depending on the amount you wish to spend. Various motels, houses and apartments for rent make this a suitable place not only for those bringing their entire family over but also adventurous spirits that seek beauty on their own.

The food offered by the local restaurants is a good mix that is sure to please various taste buds. Take a tour of the local winery or go for a boat ride on the stunning Lake Wakutipu. For those looking less commercialization and smaller crowds, the surrounding towns are a great choice. Wanaka and Arrowtown are two very quaint towns that offer some peace and quiet amid the lovely backdrops. At Queenstown, there are so many activities to ensure fun around the clock. A must visit resort town for all Australians.