The Alca

Among the ancient and endless obfuscation of Balkan history, there is a tradition which this summer I might get to see.

The Alca is a tournament between horseriders in full armor, picking a ring off with their lance from a rope suspending it in the air (rather like gauchos in Argentina). The difference here being the weight of centuries-old armor. The exact dates I need to work on...

What I do know is that a few thousand croats (along with some Venetian commanders) went up against a force of some tens of thousands of Ottomans (numbers vary from side to side but the ballpark is the same). It was a hopeless situation for the outnumbered Balkan force until some of the Venetian commanders secretly poisoned the river upstream from the Ottoman camp the night before the battle.

The next day, having informed the rest of their army, the Balkans charged at the depleted Turks to a stunning victory.

At the tournament there is one horse without a rider. It represents the Ottomans.

One-Day in London

Sorry this is up so late - I fell asleep rather unexpectedly ysterday evening. Anyway...

Arrive Heathrow 9 a.m.

Clear customs and go through to the Heathrow Express. Buy a ticket. Get on one. 10.15 a.m.

10.30 a.m. Arrive at Paddington station. Get on the Tube.

Circle Line to Notting Hill Gate (2 stops)

Walk 2 minutes to my house and drop off your bags.

Go back to Notting Hill Gate and get some breakfast - perhaps a Crussh Smoothie?

Cross the road and wander down Portobello, 11.45 a.m.

Waste some money on shawls etc.

Wander back up Portobello, 12.45 p.m.

Buy Coffee on Notting Hill Gate, 1 p.m.

Get back on the Tube. Circle Line Eastbound to South Kensington (3 stops).

Get out at 1.20 p.m.

Go to Victoria & Albert Museum.

Go to Natural History Museum.

Go to Brompton Oratory.

Skip the Science Museum (another time, when you're not rushed).

Back on the Tube at South Kensington, hopefully 3.20 p.m. if you made quick work of it. Picadilly Line to Knightsbridge (1 stop).

Get out, go inside Harrods, wander around and buy something delightful.

Get back on the Picadilly Line, 4 p.m.

Skip Hyde Park Corner, Green Park, Picadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, and Holborn (all offices at that stop anyway), going straight onto Russell Square & The British Musem (7 stops).

Stay there until it closes. Get on Picadilly Line and change at Leicester Square (3 stops) for the Northern Line, going South to Embankment (2 stops), change back to the Circle Line and go to Westminster (1 stop).

Get out, take a picture, get back in.

Carry on, on, the Circle Line back to Notting Hill Gate (7 stops). 8.00 - 8.30 p.m.

Wander into the quaint backstreets and 'Hillgate Village' and try to visit as many pubs as possible. When they all close, go to the Old Swan at the corner of Notting Hill Gate and Kensington Church Street. When that closes, go home.

Wake up early, go for a jog, see Kensington Palace, jog back.

If you really want to do London, you need 1 month + commitment + stamina + plenty money + me to guide you.

This was designed for Ari Melinger-Cohen, who jhas a one day layover in London today.

Find tube maps at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

German Modern Art

A piece of modern art I rather like.  By a German artist, it was built to celebrate independance in the modern era.  Just outside Pile Gate

The Swiss

For the young, the best part of Dubrovnik is the night.  Travelers from all over converge, go out.   

Last night I met a Swiss trio whose names I can't quite grasp, who traveled in a camper van.  After the clubs closed, we watched Smokin' Aces back at mine.  The left me a note the next morning with a cigarette placed on top.