Thursday, 22 December 2011
Monday, 19 December 2011
A true story or a fairy-tail?
Version 1
By Roleine van de Vlasakker | Published 19 December 2011
Who haven’t heard of the great Marco Polo. He is one of the best-known explorers in the world. He travelled to China, India, Persia, Indonesia and many more countries in Asia and Africa.
During his trips he took notes about what he has experienced. One day, when he was captured by the Genoese, he wrote a biography with a fellow-prisoner. The book, Il Milione, was translated into many languages so that the European people could learn about the adventures of Marco Polo. Some may even believe that Columbus and other explorers were inspired by the book.
However, the question is; is this the true story of Marco Polo or is it just another fairy-tale like Cinderella and Snow-white?
 |
| The journey of Marco Polo |
Family matters
Marco Polo wasn’t the first Polo who went on adventure to Asia. His father, Niccolò and his uncle, Maffeo Polo went there before. His father was a wealthy merchant who often went to distant lands for trading. In 1271, when Marco was seventeen, he accompanied his father and his uncle on a journey to Cathay, now known as China. They travelled three years to reach Cathay. When they arrived in Peking, they were welcomed by the emperor of Cathay, Kublai Khan. Khan was an old friend of his father and uncle. He gave the Polo’s important positions at the Chinese court.
Marco worked as an envoy, so he travelled a lot to distant parts of Asia and Africa.
After many years serving Kublai Khan, the three men desired to return to Venice, their hometown. However, Khan didn’t want them to go. Finally, in 1294, shortly before the death of Kublai, the Polo’s returned to Venice.
Il Milione
When Marco came home, Venice was at war with Genoa. These two cities were combating for the trade of the world. Marco fought with the Venetians. At the end they were defeated and captured by the Genoese. During his time in prison Marco wrote his famous biography with Rustichello, a fellow-prisoner. However, if we may believe Laurence Bergreen, an American historian and biographer, Marco Polo and his book should have been forgotten by history. There were other merchants and missionaries, who wrote about their journeys to exotic lands, on the market. Nevertheless Polo had two advantages; “he took great notes and had a terrific ghost-writer”. Without his ghost-writer, Rustichello, the book wouldn’t even have existed. He forced Polo to sit down and tell his “overflowing reminisces”. According to Bergreen, Il Milione was nothing short but a blockbuster; it spilled over with sex, violence, suspense, exotic lands, strange people and bizarre practices.
So, should we believe what’s written in Il Milione, a world wide known book written by one of the most famous explorers? Or is it just an....??
The travels of Marco Polo: A true story or a fairy-tale?
Version 2
By Roleine van de Vlasakker| Published Friday 16 December 2011
By Roleine van de Vlasakker| Published Friday 16 December 2011
Who hasn't heard of the great Marco Polo? He is one of the best-known explorers in the world. He travelled to China, India, Persia, Indonesia and many more countries in Asia and Africa. During his trips, he took notes about what he experienced. One day, when he was captured by the Genoese, he wrote a biography with a fellow-prisoner. The book, Il Milione, was translated into many languages so that the European people could learn about the adventures of Marco Polo. Some may even believe that Columbus and other explorers were inspired by the book.
 |
| The journey of Marco Polo |
Family matters
Marco Polo wasn’t the first Polo who went on adventure to Asia. His father, Niccolò and his uncle, Maffeo Polo went there before. His father was a wealthy merchant who often went to distant lands for trading. In 1271, when Marco was seventeen, he accompanied his father and his uncle on a journey to Cathay, now known as China. They travelled three years to reach Cathay. When they arrived in Peking, they were welcomed by the emperor of Cathay, Kublai Khan. Khan was an old friend of his father and uncle and gave the Polo’s important positions at the Chinese court. Marco worked as an envoy so he travelled a lot to distant parts of Asia and Africa. After many years serving Kublai Khan, the three men desired to return to Venice, their hometown. However, Khan didn’t want them to go. Finally, in 1294, shortly before the death of Kublai, the Polo’s returned to Venice.
Il Milione
When Marco came home, Venice was at war with Genoa. These two cities were combating for the trade of the world. Marco fought with the Venetians. At the end they were defeated and captured by the Genoese. During his time in prison Marco wrote his famous biography with Rustichello, a fellow-prisoner.
However, if we may believe Laurence Bergreen, an American historian and biographer, Marco Polo and his book should have been forgotten by history. There were other merchants and missionaries, who wrote about their journeys to exotic lands, on the market. Nevertheless Polo had two advantages; “he took great notes and had a terrific ghost-writer” (Bergreen). Without his ghost-writer, Rustichello, the book wouldn’t even have existed. He forced Polo to sit down and tell his “overflowing reminisces”. According to Bergreen, Il Milione was nothing short but a blockbuster; it spilled over with sex, violence, suspense, exotic lands, strange people and bizarre practices.
So should we believe what’s written in Il Milione, a world wide known book written by one of the most famous explorers? Or is it just an invented story by Marco Polo and his fellow-prisoner? If you ask me, I think it’s the true story of Marco Polo. It might be a bit exaggerated here and there but the essence of the story is true. However, I guess that without the book we would have never heard of the great Marco Polo.
A fool or an idealist?
Version 1
By Priscilla Spaans | Published Monday 19 December 2011
Christopher Mccandless was born in February 12, 1968 in California. He was a love child of Walt Mccandless and Wilhelmina Johnson. Walt also had children from his first marriage and they were living in California. Although Walt was still legally married to his first wife when Christopher and Carine were born. This is something that Chris found out later which infuriated him to the point where he thought his life had all been a lie. He exchanged his safe life for living off the barest of essentials. He wants to find the meaning of life. He donated all his savings to Oxfam International and left home. Inspired and fascinated by Jack London his written work he decided to go to Alaska. Live with nothing produced by human being but itself.
Live like a tramp
April 1992 he took on a different persona in taking the name Alexander Supertramp which he got from the book The Autobiografy of a Super-tramp by William Davies in 1908. In his writings he talks in the third person about Christopher Mccandless and Alexander Supertramp. This references that he was suffering from schizophrenia. He said things like “Christopher Mccandless is not searching for anything in Alaska, he was instead running for something”. Probably for the materialistic life and not least; his parents. When somebody asked about his family he answered he didn’t had.
April 1992 he took on a different persona in taking the name Alexander Supertramp which he got from the book The Autobiografy of a Super-tramp by William Davies in 1908. In his writings he talks in the third person about Christopher Mccandless and Alexander Supertramp. This references that he was suffering from schizophrenia. He said things like “Christopher Mccandless is not searching for anything in Alaska, he was instead running for something”. Probably for the materialistic life and not least; his parents. When somebody asked about his family he answered he didn’t had.
142 bus
The hunters bus which Christopher used as his hide is now a tourist draw. Though you need to be self a sort of super tramp. The trip to the bus takes roughly three days. Bring enough food and water. It’s a heavy trip. There’s a Stampede Trail Map which offer two roads. A heavy and a less heavy road. This hiking destination is popular but don’t start this hike when you are a beginning hiker. It’s a forty miles roundtrip dedicating three days. If it has to happen, go with a group of minimum four persons. Because bears rarely attack groups. A good chance that they attack you when you are alone. Little tip: sing a song for them and they will relax.
Into the wild
His road trip is made into a film called: Into the Wild. This film version directed by Sean Penn of Christopher’s life in the wild is popular. The beautiful music made by Eddie Vedder in combination with the amazing pictures makes his trip as a fantasy. Eddie Vedder even received a Golden Globe for the magnificent title song Guarenteed.
Living like a “foolish” tramp is Christopher Mccandless his ideal. Offering his own life to make people aware of the capitalistic society. He wrote some great one-liners in a journal. I will give you some of these.
“I have had a happy life and thank the lord. Goodbye and may god bless all!” “If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed."
And I want to close this blog with Christopher Mccandless his last quote:
“Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth.”
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| Christopher Mccandless and his famous bus |
Words: 517
A fool or an idealist?
Version 2
By Priscilla Spaans | Published Monday 19 December 2011
It’s foolish to change your life as a student for a life as a vagabond, isn’t it?
 |
| Christopher Mccandless and his famous bus |
In April 1992 he took on a different persona in taking the name Alexander Supertramp which he got from the book ‘The Autobiografy of a Super-tramp’ by William Davies in 1908. In his writings he talks in the third person about Christopher Mccandless and Alexander Supertramp. I think this references to the fact that he was suffering from schizophrenia. He said things like “Christopher Mccandless is not searching for anything in Alaska, he was running for something instead”. Probably for the materialistic life and not least; his family. When somebody asked about his family, he answered he didn’t have any.
142 bus
The hunters bus which Christopher used as his hide, is now a tourist draw. Though you need to be a sort of super tramp yourself. It’s a forty miles road trip with the bus and roughly takes three days. Bring enough food and water for this heavy trip. I think searching for pictures of the bus on internet is more my thing than this devil of a trip. But if you like it, there’s a Stampede Trail Map which offers two roads. A heavy and a less heavy road. This hiking destination is popular but don’t start this hike when you are just a beginning hiker. Hike with a group of minimum four persons because bears rarely attack groups and there are many. There’s a good chance that they attack you when you are alone. Little tip: sing a song for them and they will relax.
Into the wild
His road trip is made into my favorite film on earth called: Into the Wild. The beautiful music made by Eddie Vedder in combination with the amazing pictures makes his trip as a fantasy. Eddie Vedder even received a Golden Globe for the magnificent title song Guarenteed. Living like a foolish tramp was Christopher Mccandless ideal. I think offering his own life has made people aware of the capitalistic society. He wrote some great one-liners in his journal. I will give you some of these.
The hunters bus which Christopher used as his hide, is now a tourist draw. Though you need to be a sort of super tramp yourself. It’s a forty miles road trip with the bus and roughly takes three days. Bring enough food and water for this heavy trip. I think searching for pictures of the bus on internet is more my thing than this devil of a trip. But if you like it, there’s a Stampede Trail Map which offers two roads. A heavy and a less heavy road. This hiking destination is popular but don’t start this hike when you are just a beginning hiker. Hike with a group of minimum four persons because bears rarely attack groups and there are many. There’s a good chance that they attack you when you are alone. Little tip: sing a song for them and they will relax.
Into the wild
His road trip is made into my favorite film on earth called: Into the Wild. The beautiful music made by Eddie Vedder in combination with the amazing pictures makes his trip as a fantasy. Eddie Vedder even received a Golden Globe for the magnificent title song Guarenteed. Living like a foolish tramp was Christopher Mccandless ideal. I think offering his own life has made people aware of the capitalistic society. He wrote some great one-liners in his journal. I will give you some of these.
"If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed."
"Some people feel like they don't deserve love. They walk away quietly into empty spaces, trying to close the gaps of the past."
And I want to close this blog with Christopher Mccandless his last quote:
"Some people feel like they don't deserve love. They walk away quietly into empty spaces, trying to close the gaps of the past."
And I want to close this blog with Christopher Mccandless his last quote:
“Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth.”
Words: 547
Charles Darwin, the man who changed our view about the existing of humanity
Version 1
By Vivian Vleesch du Bois | Published Thursday 15 December 2011
Survival of the fittest
There are people how believes that god has created the world in seven days. There are also people how believes in the evolution theory and furthermore there are people who doesn’t believe anything because they just don’t know what to believe. I belong to the second group, the evolution theory. 2009 was the year of Charles Darwin, patriarch of the evolution theory. In the same year it was 150 years ago that Darwin published his book ‘On the Origin of Species’. That book changed our thinking about the genesis of the humanity and had an unprecedented influence at religion, science, biology and philosophy.
Who was he ?
Charles Darwin was born on 12 February 1809 in Shrewsbury. His parents where wealthy and well-connected. His grandfather was one of the leading intellectuals of 18th century England. Darwin studied at Edinburgh because he planned to follow a medical career. In 1831 he joined a five year expedition on the ship HMS Beagle. Probably there isn’t any other scientist that changes so much in the scientific world, and that makes him one of my favourite scientist that has excisted.
The beginning of his genius theory
During his journey with his ship ‘Beagle’ he landed at the Galapagos islands in South-America. There he investigated differences between finches who lives on the islands. The birds lives isolated from each other and because of that, investigation was possible. Darwin discovered that the finches on different islands also had different properties. On islands where the birds eats nuts the beak was different than the birds who eats berries on a other island. He discovered that the finches developed good qualities to survive. In his theory he explains that only the best custom organism survives.
Survival of the fittest at humans
I think this theory is also applicable at humans. ‘Handsome people’ are mostly of the time people who looks healthy and young. And people with status are often attractive to. This is calculated as the same all over the world. This becomes that people unconscious looks for strong qualities so that they can give those qualities at their babies.
Back to Darwin
Charles Darwin worked at his theory for 20 Years. After publishing his book he was attacked by the church because he negated the theory that god created the world. In his book he wrote that homo sapiens was a form of an animal. It made it seem possible that people might just have evolved, probably from apes. At that century Darwin’s theory was new and unusual. However his ideas were accepted and rewarded and have become the new orthodoxy. Darwin died in 1882, he was recognized as one of England’s greatest scientists and I totally agree with that. If you are also interested in his life you can read his book ‘On the origin of Species’ but there are lots of books about is journeys for sale.
Words: 508
By Vivian Vleesch du Bois | Published Thursday 15 December 2011
Survival of the fittest
There are people how believes that god has created the world in seven days. There are also people how believes in the evolution theory and furthermore there are people who doesn’t believe anything because they just don’t know what to believe. I belong to the second group, the evolution theory. 2009 was the year of Charles Darwin, patriarch of the evolution theory. In the same year it was 150 years ago that Darwin published his book ‘On the Origin of Species’. That book changed our thinking about the genesis of the humanity and had an unprecedented influence at religion, science, biology and philosophy.
Who was he ?
 |
| Finches with different beaks |
The beginning of his genius theory
During his journey with his ship ‘Beagle’ he landed at the Galapagos islands in South-America. There he investigated differences between finches who lives on the islands. The birds lives isolated from each other and because of that, investigation was possible. Darwin discovered that the finches on different islands also had different properties. On islands where the birds eats nuts the beak was different than the birds who eats berries on a other island. He discovered that the finches developed good qualities to survive. In his theory he explains that only the best custom organism survives.
 |
| From monkey to man |
I think this theory is also applicable at humans. ‘Handsome people’ are mostly of the time people who looks healthy and young. And people with status are often attractive to. This is calculated as the same all over the world. This becomes that people unconscious looks for strong qualities so that they can give those qualities at their babies.
Back to Darwin
Charles Darwin worked at his theory for 20 Years. After publishing his book he was attacked by the church because he negated the theory that god created the world. In his book he wrote that homo sapiens was a form of an animal. It made it seem possible that people might just have evolved, probably from apes. At that century Darwin’s theory was new and unusual. However his ideas were accepted and rewarded and have become the new orthodoxy. Darwin died in 1882, he was recognized as one of England’s greatest scientists and I totally agree with that. If you are also interested in his life you can read his book ‘On the origin of Species’ but there are lots of books about is journeys for sale.
Words: 508
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Charles Darwin, the man who changed our view about the existing of humanity
Version 2
There are people who believe that God has created the world in seven days. Some people believes in the evolution theory, furthermore some people don’t believe anything because they just don’t know what to believe. I belong to the second group, the evolution theory. 2009 was the year of Charles Darwin, the patriarch of the evolution theory. 150 years ago Darwin published his book ‘On the Origin of Species’. this book changed our thinking about the genesis of the humanity and had an unprecedented influence at religion, science, biology and philosophy.
Who was he ?
Charles Darwin was born in 1809 on the 12th of February in Shrewsbury. His parents were wealthy and well-connected. His grandfather was one of the leading intellectuals of 18th century England. Darwin studied in Edinburgh because he planned to follow a medical career. In 1831 he joined a five year expedition on the ship ‘HMS Beagle’. Probably there isn’t any other scientist that has changed so much in the scientific world, what makes him one of my favourite scientist that has existed.
The beginning of his genius theory
During his journey with his ship ‘Beagle’ he landed at the Galapagos Islands in South-America. There he investigated differences between finches that live on the islands. The birds live isolated from each other and because of that, investigation was possible. Darwin discovered that the finches on different islands also had different properties. On islands where the birds ate nuts the beak was different than the birds who ate berries on a other island. He discovered that the finches developed good qualities to survive. In his theory he explains that only the best custom organism survives, ‘survival of the fittest’.
Back to Darwin
By Vivian Vleesch du Bois | Published 15 December 2011
The survival of the fittest.
There are people who believe that God has created the world in seven days. Some people believes in the evolution theory, furthermore some people don’t believe anything because they just don’t know what to believe. I belong to the second group, the evolution theory. 2009 was the year of Charles Darwin, the patriarch of the evolution theory. 150 years ago Darwin published his book ‘On the Origin of Species’. this book changed our thinking about the genesis of the humanity and had an unprecedented influence at religion, science, biology and philosophy.
Who was he ?
Charles Darwin was born in 1809 on the 12th of February in Shrewsbury. His parents were wealthy and well-connected. His grandfather was one of the leading intellectuals of 18th century England. Darwin studied in Edinburgh because he planned to follow a medical career. In 1831 he joined a five year expedition on the ship ‘HMS Beagle’. Probably there isn’t any other scientist that has changed so much in the scientific world, what makes him one of my favourite scientist that has existed.
 |
| Finches with different beaks |
During his journey with his ship ‘Beagle’ he landed at the Galapagos Islands in South-America. There he investigated differences between finches that live on the islands. The birds live isolated from each other and because of that, investigation was possible. Darwin discovered that the finches on different islands also had different properties. On islands where the birds ate nuts the beak was different than the birds who ate berries on a other island. He discovered that the finches developed good qualities to survive. In his theory he explains that only the best custom organism survives, ‘survival of the fittest’.
Survival of the fittest at humans
I think this theory is also applicable to humans. ‘Handsome people’ are most of the time people who look healthy and young, This is scientifically proven and the same all over the world. people with status are often attractive to. The reason why those people are attractive, is because people unconscious looks for strong qualities so that they can give those qualities at their babies.
 |
| From monkey to human |
Charles Darwin worked at his theory for 20 years. After publishing his book he was attacked by the church because he negated the theory that God created the world. In his book he wrote that homo sapiens was a form of an animal. It made it seem possible that people might just have evolved, probably from apes. At that century Darwin’s theory was new and unusual. However, his ideas were accepted and rewarded and did become the new orthodoxy. Darwin died in 1882, he was recognized as one of England’s greatest scientists and I totally agree with that. If you are also interested in his life you can read his book ‘On the origin of Species’ but there are also lots of other books about his journey for sale.
Words: 507
Words: 507
Christopher Columbus discovered America, right?
Version 1
By Simone Brouwer | Published Thursday 15 December 2011
What if Christopher Columbus didn’t discover America? Would our whole world change?
By Simone Brouwer | Published Thursday 15 December 2011
What if Christopher Columbus didn’t discover America? Would our whole world change?
Early in school youngsters are being told that Christopher Columbus discovered America. He was the one who believed the world wasn’t flat and wanted to go to Asia by sailing west. However, recent discoveries reveal he actually wasn’t the first man who visited the Indians. What if the history books are all wrong and this may not be true? Could we cope with it or would we just deny it?
Where am I?
Christopher Columbus was an Italian world explorer and got famous with his discovery of America in 1492. At the time there were sixty million people living in Europe, emerging from medieval hopelessness into a period of renaissance. The excitement of finding a new world led to further discovery and expansion. When Columbus arrived at the other side of the world, he thought he had arrived in Asia and called the inhabitants Indians. Stupid as he was, he would actually never realise he had discovered America.
The Vikings
On his way back to Spain, he took some Indians with him to show to the world. When Columbus paraded his newly discovered Indians through the streets of Spanish towns, he was not in fact introducing them to Europe. Scientists claim a woman from America probably arrived in Iceland five hundreds years before Columbus bumped into America. She left genes behind that are reflected in about eighty Icelanders today. The most probable explanation is that these genes correspond to an Indian woman who was taken from America by the Vikings. This way it would be the Vikings who have discovered America before Columbus got there.
 |
Chinese map which suggests Chinese seamen were the first to discover America |
Or would it be the Chinese?
An ancient map strongly suggests Chinese seamen were the ones who sailed around the world first. This map contains notes that match the outlines of Africa, Europe and America. It shows the Nile with two sources. Of the west coast of America, the map says: “The skin of the race in this area is black-red and feathers are wrapped around their heads and waists.” Mr Menzies, a former submariner, is convinced this map shows the truth and China had indeed discovered America in 1421 by a Chinese admiral named Zheng He, who sailed the oceans between 1405 and 1453. His discoveries were written in a book, which appeared in 1418 called “The Marvellous Visions of the Star Raft.” The map makes a good estimate of the world despite the errors that are in it. It recognises that the earth is round. Nevertheless, the Europeans had also discovered the world wasn’t flat. We shouldn’t give the Chinese credit for this as well.
The consequences of the discovery of this map could be considerable. "The history of New World discovery will have to be rewritten," claims Mr Menzies. Personally, I don't really care who really has discovered America. The Vikings, the Chinese or my grandmother, it will always be the Europeans, which made the United States more powerful than China had even been.
The consequences of the discovery of this map could be considerable. "The history of New World discovery will have to be rewritten," claims Mr Menzies. Personally, I don't really care who really has discovered America. The Vikings, the Chinese or my grandmother, it will always be the Europeans, which made the United States more powerful than China had even been.
Words: 518
Christopher Columbus discovered America, right?
Version 2
By Simone Brouwer | Published Thursday 15 December 2011
By Simone Brouwer | Published Thursday 15 December 2011
What if Christopher Columbus didn’t discover America? Would our whole world have changed?
Early in school youngsters are told that Christopher Columbus discovered America. He was the one who believed the world wasn’t flat and wanted to go to Asia by sailing west. However, recent discoveries reveal he actually wasn’t the first man who visited the Indians. What if the history books are mistaken and this may not be true? Could we cope with it or would we just deny it?
Where am I?
Christopher Columbus was an Italian world explorer and got famous with his discovery of America in 1492. At the time, there were sixty million people living in Europe, who were still haunted by several diseases because they were simply too hopeless to build a real bathroom. So the excitement of finding a new world led to further discovery and expansion. When Columbus arrived at the other side of the world, he thought he had arrived in Asia and called the inhabitants Indians. Stupid as he was, he would actually never realise he had discovered America.
The Vikings
On his way back to Spain, he took some Indians with him to show to the world. When Columbus paraded his newly discovered Indians through the streets of Spanish towns, the Indians weren’t surprised by the medieval disorder. They had actually already seen the dirty streets and habits of the Europeans before. According to The Guardian, scientists claim a woman from America probably arrived in Iceland five hundreds years before Columbus bumped into the big island. This woman left genes behind that are still reflected in about eighty Icelanders today. The most probable explanation is that these genes correspond to an Indian woman, who was taken from America by the Vikings. This way it would be the Vikings who have discovered America before Columbus got there.
 |
| Chinese map which suggests Chinese seamen were the first to discover America |
Or would it be the Chinese?
According to The Economist an ancient map strongly suggests Chinese seamen were the ones who sailed around the world first. This map contains notes that match the outlines of Africa, Europe and America. Of the west coast of America, the map says: “The skin of the race in this area is black-red and feathers are wrapped around their heads and waists.” Still I doubt whether this is actually about the Indians. How do you know the map isn't referring to some crazy people in Australia? However, Mr Menzies, a former submariner, is convinced this map shows the truth and China had indeed discovered America in 1421. A Chinese admiral named Zheng He sailed the oceans between 1405 and 1453. His discoveries were written in a book, which is called “The Marvellous Visions of the Star Raft.” The map makes a good estimate of the world despite the errors that are in it. It recognizes that the earth is round. Nevertheless, the Europeans also had discovered the world wasn’t flat. We shouldn’t give the Chinese credit for this as well.
The consequences of the discovery of this map could be considerable. "The history of New World discovery will have to be rewritten," claims Mr Menzies. Personally, I don't really care who really has discovered America. The Vikings, the Chinese or my grandmother, it will always be the Europeans, which made the United States more powerful than China had even been.
Words: 565
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