Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Still catching up


I became aware of first-time visitors from these three nations on Holy Cross Day (September 14). With Andorra and Zambia in the mix tonight we are truly ranging from A to Z.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan shares borders with Syria, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, and Saudi Arabia. Its strategic location has yielded a rich history. Jordan is a constitutional monarchy. King Abdullah II has been educated at Oxford, Sanhurst, and Georgetown. He is a fan of Star Trek. (That's tonight's nod to prince blogging.)

Jordanian song - Zeghritee ya nashmeia (lots of patriotism and shots of His Majesty here)
زغرتي يا نشمية


The Principality of Andorra (Principat d'Andorra) is located between Spain and France. It is a principality with dual heads of state: the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France. The national language is Catalan and, since March 2005, Andorra recognizes civil unions of persons of the same sex. The official government site is, of course, in Catalan. You can check it out here.

Festa Major d'Andorra la Vella 1976(Orfeó Andorrà)


The Republic of Zambia is a high-plateau African nation with river valleys. The decline of copper prices in the 70s damaged the economy. 44% of the population is concentrated in urban areas. "The Zambian staple diet is based on maize. It is normally eaten as a thick porridge, called Nshima, prepared from maize flour commonly known as mealie meal. This may be eaten with a variety of vegetables, beans, meat, fish or sour milk depending on geographical location/origin. Nshima is also prepared from cassava a staple food in some parts of the country."

ZAMBIAN MUSIC -By Wala (makes these old bones want to move)


A hearty welcome to those first visitors from each country!

My info, as usual, is all lifted from Wikipedia.

Enjoy!
--the BB

2 comments:

Fran said...

I will not blather on about it, but I have been to Jordan - a land of amazing people and places.

Paul said...

Fran, that was my memory and I wondered if you would have time to tell us stories of your trip. Blessings on coping with all you do these days amid your quest for gainful employment.