Category: culture

Museo fin del Mundo

This means museum at the end of the world. Fin del Mundo.

Fascinating
Many things lie in this museum, some are quite fascinating (im not kidding).

Many ships and planes have crashed here and stories of savage seas, freezing weather and inhospitable locals adorn the walls.

Sinkage
One of the biggest ship sinkages involved a passenger steamer with 1,500 Europeans mostly Germans (surprise, surprise).

This was more than the whole population of Ushuaia at that time (C.1915).

Lodgers
Stranded people had to lodge with famalies in Ushuaia,
1,500 of them to 836 locals.

Death
The captain was the only one who died.

He was unable to escape in time, rooting for papers apparently, heavy smoker dont yer know.

This and many other exciting stories are there to behold in the Museo fin del Mundo.

Well worth the money.

Nice – Museums

Modern Art

Nice has its fair share of Musuems. Due to failing weather, I felt that these museums would be a worthy way to while away the hours.
Kitting myself with cagoule, camera and other shoes and stuff I set out bright and early to this museum of one of the most famous artists who has hailed from Nice. That famous artist Matisse.

Taking the bus, not the bugger bus, but a normal one no. 15 or 17, (for those bus spotters out there), up to the important stop which is Cimiez Monastry. This was quick and effective and took me to the top of the steep hills which sorround Nice in little time or effort.

There where 3 museums to see on the way back into town. These three museums where:
The Musée Matisse
The Musée Marc Chagall
The Musée d’art Moderne et Contemporain.

Without going to much into boring detail. There were all worth visiting, especial if the weather ain’t great. The best, I thought, was the Musée d’art Moderne et Contemporain, becuase it had such mad and varied displays.

I also went to another museum, that was the musuem of Asian art.

These i usually find really interesting because
a) we stole all the stuff of them and they can’t get it back.
b) because their cultures are different.

At this museum they gave you a funky headphone which would tell you stories as you wandered from statue to statue. This i found on reflecting made the whole expreince much more valuable and wandered what was the point in having those little bits of paper next to things when they don’t tell you anything at all.

Cassis – Vive le France

Have realised in Cass the importance of being French, where this is not possible, you will have difficulties.

Things have changed in France since my last visit 4 years ago. Then the French would attempt to communicate in English where you make the effort. Obviously now it seems due to our diplomatic naughtiness, this is no longer the case.

French must be spoken at all times.

Underlying French attitudes have shifted in a similar direction.

Cassis was not unfriendly as much as unpleasant, which didn’t really make it a worthwhile place to spend any time.

Barcelona – Scam

Barcelona

Barcelona hosts the best backpacker horror stories.
Snatchings, street scams pickpockets, all the best stuff for those travel yarns.

This one of the more popular scams you’re likely to encounter on Las Ramblas.

Find the Lady

Hat and balls trick on cardboard table.

Balls are exchanged between hats, money is exchanged between Spaniards, all is jolly, all is normal..

Hat is chosen by Spainiard.
Spainiard loses bet, and no objection, continues with the game.

Gullable tourist approaches, spots the ball (which is peeping out from under hat), points at hat, encouraged by locals, withdraws money from pocket.

Guy snatches money and will not return it insisting that a hat is picked.

Barcelona Las Ramblas
So he’s got your money. If you want it back, shout now, if not, go ahead, pick a hat and forever hold your peace. You won’t find the berry, (unless they want you to continue upping the stakes and drawing in a crowd).

Also, if you watch closely, all the money the locals exchange is folded bits of paper, passed to the bottom of the pile of notes.

You are like the unlikely fish attracted by the flashing lure and these guys see you coming and take your money off you.

If you don’t like losing money, pass them by or watch others lose. Don’t get involved, and don’t lose your temper, as I nearly did.