Crusaders

For those who have no prior memory of their history class, the Crusaders were knights of the Middle Ages that went around the known world, either as part of a pilgrimage or a mission entrusted to them by the Pope. For it was so that the Crusaders were "warriors to God's service," as their missions were such as defending Holy cities, recapturing relics stolen from churches, etc.

There were three kinds of Crusader knights:

• The Crusaders that came from England, France, and the surrounding areas were Templar Knights.
• The Crusaders that came from Germany, Russia, and the surrounding areas were Teutonic Knights.
• The Crusaders that came from elsewhere (Scandinavia, Middle East, Africa) were Hospitaller Knights.

The Hospitallers were always in conflict with Muslims, especially over who owned Jerusalem. Templars usually helped, but the one time they didn't, war broke out. The Muslim leader Saladin was getting powerful, and the Crusaders were becoming less. Soon, it was Jerusalem alone that had to fight away the Muslims. By the end of the war, the Muslims had captured Jerusalem, and the few Crusaders left... were gone.

Canopy Tour Zip Line Trails in Copan

I just got on a wet adventure, and I survived. My God!! Has anyone who reads my blogs ever been to a canopy tour zip line??? It's just the right stuff for anyone who wants the balance between sightseeing activities and adrenaline pumps! Don't worry if it's the first time, it's always the first which makes you want to stain your pants in sheer fear... but THAT is when it goes away!!

Me, oblivious to the heart-stopping experience to come!!

Rules apply as follows:

1. Gear should be on at all times, no matter how loose, tight, itchy, or rough; in which case you should consult with tour guides.
   
2. Your right hand goes on the zip line (unless you're left-handed, in which case, you know...) and the other one goes on the strips that harness you to the cable.
3. Under no circumstances should your strong hand (right for right-handed) let go off the cable, or you will find yourself spinning uncontrollably.
4. When you need to slow down, use your strong hand as brake by pulling down with all available strength. If this fails, pull with both hands for emergency brake.
5. Whatever the guides or the boss do is because they're experts. Never, repeat, NEVER do any kind of trick on a zip line unless you're an expert yourself.

Basically, in Copan's 'Los Sapos' Canopy Tour, there are about 10 zip lines, not counting emergency exits or alternate cables; I only include the trip that starts and ends at the same point.

Quotes (and Facts!) from my Twitter

Yeah, yeah, I know, they sound like pure Twitterature. Only they're told by ME:

1. There's no such thing as an international brotherhood. Any chances of a brotherhood are wiped out by prejudice and discrimination.
2. We hate to say goodbye... when the first thing we wanted was to go away.
3. Conscience is like coffee. The more you have of it, the more aware you are...
4. Crashes are rough, landings are not... how about crash landings??
5. As long as humans stalk the Earth, wars will, too.
6. Your path will never be perfect... but you will have to cross it anyway.
7. Nobody cares about an anonymous dead guy. Now that's the problem: who knows who's next?
8. Whenever you pass that beggar in the street, think of your donation as the last one needed for a million dollars. Think about it...
9. Happiness is a costly commodity in many poor countries... yet you can help afford it.
10. Live your days with extreme joy... for time is not endless and all men must die.
11. We all tell we are getting old when work is less fun and fun is [a lot] more work.
12. It takes more force (40 muscles) to frown than to smile (15 muscles)
13. All man does with his developed mind is brag about it with technology and robots. He is actually making a fool out of himself...
14. Man has the most developed brain compared to all other animals... and yet it doesn't come up that he's ruining the world.
15. Global warming is not a natural issue... it WAS caused by us
16. The whole world will be doomed as long as humans keep existing...
17. Great power and talent comes in small packages from the least expected places... cheer up your son, it just might add up to somethin'!!
18. It is better to be followed by an inexperienced gang as opposed to an inexperienced following a gang.
19. One good deed may redeem a million bad deeds... start giving!!
20. When your resources fail, you can always try something else.
21. A clear conscience is the key to a clear mind, which someday will lead to a clear life.
22. Whatever you do, do it gracefully. For a bad attitude formulates bad conclusions, but a positive mind achieves positive things.
23. We all must be like those new tech mops in the way that instead of spreading a mess we should clean it up.
24. Yes, we've all experienced hard falls. But very few have enough conscience to get up.
25. Do what you have to do so that you can do what you want to do. And fail big.
26. Where wisdom and courage fail, all that remains is faith... and that can overcome all.
27. The greatest source of trust - experience.
28. Love can move mountains, crumble bridges, and stir the waters - God is love, and love is God.
29. Experience outranks everything.

What we owe to Greeks

As you may know, the Greek civilization was the most fruitful and prosperous of early republics. It was so influential in many other civilizations that most of the customs and ways of life still exist today, in front of our noses.

Sports:
Well, of course, many sports and skill practice activities were Greek. They're called Olympic Games because at that time they were dedicated to the gods of Olympus. Some, like javelin-throwing and weight-throwing, are not so popular. Others, like races of any sort and wrestling, are quite famous worldwide.

Science:
Greek bearded guys developed the art of thought: philosophy. Two great philosophers from Ancient Greece were called Socrates and Plato. Others, like Aristotle (yes, the same Aristotle that tutored Alexander the Great) studied science and scientific problems. He determined that porpoises were mammals when he saw them give birth to live young. Math was a great deal improved during the Greek's time, especially with the help of Euclid and Pythagoras. Biology was also a main science, as Alexander brought foreign animals and plants to Aristotle for study.

Art/Architecture
Greek sculptures and buildings have survived till today, but many modern buildings are built the "Classical" style, that is, to make it similar to Greek. When Romans captured Greece, they were so amazed by their copper statues that they copied them on marble and placed them on their houses. In the 15th century AD people began to develop interest in the past and, thus, dug out the marble statues and ruins of columns. The same today.

You see, if it were not for these Greek bearded nerds, we would cease to exist.