Just a Lickle Water

International Women’s Day is on 8th March, and it is a National Holiday in Armenia, but it is not a National Holiday in many other countries. On this day, women are celebrated by highlighting their achievements, emphasizing their value in society, and pointing out the challenges women face today.  Additionally, they are pampered with flowers, breakfast in bed and other special “actions” to show that they are appreciated and loved by their loved ones. This day is also called the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.  On 19th November is International Men’s Day, but it is not a National Holiday in Armenia.

Have you ever heard of the sport called Pato? Well, if your answer is no, then both of us were in the same boat. I’ve recently learned that this sport and not football is the National Sport of Argentina. In 1952, Juan Domingo Peron, the President, proclaimed this sport as the nation’s sport. The Spanish word Pato, when translated into English, is a duck. Years ago, a duck was placed inside a “basket,” with handles, and passed from teammates to teammates, who were riding on horses. The teams scored by throwing the basket with the duck into a high net.  However, an encased ball in a “net” replaces the duck and basket. Although the sport is not as popular as football, a few minutes of looking at a game on YouTube is more than enough to see why it is Argentina’s National Sport. Check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks. Note: http://www.argentinaindependent.com/life-style/pato-argentinas-national-sport/    

Antigua & Barbuda are islands in the Caribbean, and they are no strangers to drought. For a little more than three years, they have been facing a drought. A drought is a long period without rainfall, which naturally leads to a water shortage.  From 1863 – 1865, 1983 – 1985 and 1993 -1994, the islands were hit by drought. As a result of the 1983 – 1985 scarcity of water, Antigua & Barbuda imported water from Dominica. About two years after this, a Desalination Plant was bought and installed in Crabbs, Antigua.  Desalination is when minerals are removed from saline water, desalination occurs. There are no rivers in this country, but Potworks Dam, a human-made lake, is one of the largest lakes here, and it holds about one billion gallons of fresh water. However, because of the lack of rainfall, the lake no longer exists.         Nevertheless, a Plant located in Barbuda is to operate later this month. This plant can produce about one hundred thous...

Angola, a country in Africa, was once ruled by Portugal.  However, like many other countries worldwide, Angolans wanted to govern themselves. They wanted to become independent, but Portugal refused to let them go.   Nevertheless, in 1975, the country won its freedom, it became independent, but immediately plunged into Civil War, and many lives were lost.  This war only ended in 2002. Today, Angola’s economy is growing, but it is still one of the world’s poorest countries.  Nevertheless, on the 17th November 2011, Angola, this former colony, signed a deal with Portugal to “pour” thousands of dollars into Portugal’s economy due to its severe financial problems.  Yes, Angola is now helping to take care of Portugal!  Wow!  Talk about the unexpected.

Andorra is sandwiched between France and Spain, and it is co-governed by the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell, who is in Spain.  Although Andorra has accommodations for a few helicopters, there are no airports here.  In fact, its closest airports are in France and Spain.  Therefore, those desiring to visit this country must travel through France or Spain and then travel by land, to get here. Perhaps due to sharing governmental powers, this country also shares the postal system.  France’s post boxes in this country are yellow, while Spain’s are red. 

I find it curious that although many of us have access to the Internet, some still think that Africa and the Caribbean are single countries with mainly Africans (Black People) living there. There are not.  Africa is a continent, and the Caribbean is an area in the Americas where the Caribbean Sea is located.    Algeria, a country in Africa.  The CIA’s World Factbook states that 99% of the Ethnic groups of people here are Arab-Berber, while less than 1% are European. Curious nah? 

Enver Hoxha ruled Albania from 1944 – 1985, and during the 1960, he built many bunkers for the “survival” of Albanians in case the country was ever invaded.   To say the least, the country was never invaded, and presently about 750,000 bunkers are scattered around the country.   Bunkers are in people’s backyards, gas stations and in burial areas.   So, what are Albanians to do about these structures?   Some people are painting them, using them as a café, taking iron to sell, and some people are even using them for eco-tourism.   Wow!