Since the Visa and Mastercard don't work in Iranian banks, you can't withdraw money at the local ATMs. This means you need to carry with you enough cash for the whole holiday and exchanged it into Rials once in Iran.
For the tourist in Iran, money is a complicated subject!
First of all, where you are, mostly in big cities, the euro (and the dollar! No more!) is accepted by traders. This is obviously not the rule of payment in euros, but the euro circulates and is accepted. On it will even be sought!
Two: you can change your euros into Rials in the smart places: banks and exchange offices (the "Sarrafi"), some traders (jewelers, carpet dealers, hotels) or even individual changers in the big cities. The simplest is yet to change it in a currency exchange. The price of the euro remains so advantageous that frankly... To choose, it is even more interesting to change dollars than euros.
On the other hand, you must have the cash on your own. This is the major constraint. Tourists can not withdraw money from distributors with their bank cards in Iran, it is absolutely impossible. So you have to HAVE YOUR MONEY in cash.
Tourists can also get what's known as a "bank tourist card" that they can top up at their arrival to use as a normal ATM or credit card all over Iran to avoid carrying too much. it's worth inquiring at the Bank Melli branch at Tehran, in International Imam Khomeini Airport upon arrival. It's open 24/7 and they will explain better how it works and if it's actually already operative.
If you'd rather exchange your dollars or euros instead, we suggest you exchange at the airport's bank only a part, enough for the first taxi ride from the airport to your hotel and the first day. You will have much better rates at the exchange agencies in Ferdowsi square, right out of Ferdowsi metro station.
In everyday life, the Iranians count in "Tomans" and not in Rials. This is their way to remove at least one zero. For example, a water bottle costs 1000 tomans instead of 10,000 rials. If a taxi driver in Tehran makes the "7" sign, this indicates that he is requesting 70,000 rials (or 7,000 tomans).
The most used and accepted tickets are the 20,000 and 50,000 Rials.
Iran is one of the most economical destinations, and this is not one of the few arguments in favor of the trip!
For example, the price of gasoline: on January 9, 2017, the price of the liter is $ 0.40, the eighth place behind Venezuela ($ 0.01!), Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait and Ecuador (www.globalpetrolprices.com).
Iran is one of the cheapest destinations there is, and this is not the least of the arguments in favor of the trip!
For example, the price of gasoline: Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, and Equador (data: www. globalpetrolprices.com).


Our group utilizes the translational cell model of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (ps-iPSCs), human cardiac fibroblasts and human cardiac tissue for modeling and analysis of mono-and polygenetic cardiac diseases.
We focus on cardiac diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy (ACT), or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), which are all suggested to be genetic predisposed. Up to now, we have generated ps-iPSCs from skin biopsies or blood cells from patients with the mentioned cardiac diseases. Using a directed differentiation protocol we are able to obtain pure functional cardiomyocytes, which can be used for further analysis.
The aims of all projects are the systematic analysis of the pathogenesis of the cardiac disease mechanisms, the analysis of the immunological response of ps-iPSCs to allogeneic and autologous immune cells, and finally the identification and validation of new molecular targets with potential translational and therapeutic relevance for cardiomyopathies to develop new therapies on a patient-specific level.


We know you have heard a lot about Accelerated Reader. AR Home Connect allows parents to log in using their student's Accelerated Reader username and password. See immediately how your student is progressing with their reading and goals. View the bookshelf that shows what books your child has been reading.


text:
Follow the [Clojure Style Guide](https://github.com/bbatsov/clojure-style-guide) unless directed otherwise below. The guide is comprehensive, well organized, and common.

In order to streamline pull requests, prior to opening one, consider running your code through a formatting tool such as [cljfmt](https://github.com/weavejester/cljfmt) or [kibit](https://github.com/jonase/kibit). They are handy for catching any deviations from standard Clojure/script style guidelines.

## Documentation, Comments, and Examples

1. Unless obvious to someone new to the project, yet familiar with Clojure/script, a meaningful docstring should be associated with every class, function, behavior, and object.
2. When adding examples use the [ClojureDocs Example Style Guide](https://clojuredocs.org/examples-styleguide) as a reference for creating quality examples.
3. Good articles for quality documentation can be found [here](https://jacobian.org/writing/great-documentation/) and [here](https://bradfults.com/the-best-api-documentation-b9e46400379a).

## Errors

1. Catch blocks should catch on `:default` unless there is a specific exception to be caught.
1. Catch blocks should log errors with `lt.objs.console/error`. Namespaces that the console
  ns depend on cannot refer to the clojure var but can refer to the js fn e.g.
  `(js/lt.objs.console.error err)`.

## Behaviors

1. Add brief docstrings via `:desc` key.

## Footnotes

1. This document was inspired by the excellent [Metabase Clojure Style Guide](https://github.com/metabase/metabase/wiki/Metabase-Clojure-Style-Guide).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
ALL-STARS RETURN
Outfielder A.J. Pollock and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt returned to the Diamondbacks on Friday after representing the National League at the All-Star Game on Tuesday. While the Diamondbacks worked out at Chase Field on Thursday, Hale gave the two All-Stars an extra day off.
For Pollock, it still wasn't a complete day off.
"I actually still went and hit in the spring-training facility," he said.
Goldschmidt was making his third All-Star appearance. For Pollock, a first-timer, it was a whirlwind couple of days. He said there really wasn't time for him to sit back and take it all in during the festivities in Cincinnati.
RELATED: Diamondbacks sign first-overall pick Dansby Swanson at deadline
"You're on the go," he said of the experience. "I'm trying to think of a time I had to actually sit there and think about it. We didn't really have time. I had my friends and family there, so when I wasn't on the field I had about an hour to spend with them."
Pollock had one at-bat in the game, a groundout in the seventh inning. Goldschmidt, starting for the NL, was 1 for 3 with an infield single and a run scored. The pair returned to Phoenix on Wednesday. Pollock said he doesn't need much more than a day or two of rest.
"Anything more than that is too much," he said. "The All-Star Game was great because I'm enjoying it, but I'm still taking swings, I'm still working out."
MORE: Diamondbacks taking cautious approach as trade deadline nears
BRADLEY THROWING AGAIN
Starting pitcher Archie Bradley played catch twice this week after taking time off with a nagging shoulder injury. Bradley has not pitched in a game since June 1.
Doctors determined there was no structural damage in his shoulder earlier this month and Bradley was told simply to rest his arm. He was scheduled to meet again with team doctors Friday. Bradley said his shoulder feels good and has not bothered him. There's no timetable yet for when he might throw from a mound.
"All of it kind of goes off of my shoulder, how it feels," Bradley said. "We're going to take things a little slower than I think we'd all like, but that's just a precaution."
SHORT HOP
Starter Jeremy Hellickson is tentatively scheduled to pitch Tuesday against the Marlins. Hellickson has been dealing with a blister, which caused the rotation to be shuffled around. Hale said Hellickson is not a lock for Tuesday's start and it will depend how the blister progresses.
PHOTOS: Diamondbacks vs. Giants
SATURDAY'S GAME
Giants at Diamondbacks
When: 5:10 p.m.
Where: Chase Field (Roof hotline: 602-462-6262).
Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Chase Anderson (4-3, 3.91) vs. Giants RHP Jake Peavy (0-4, 4.71).
TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KSUN-AM (1400).
Anderson surrendered four runs and lasted only 4 1/3 innings against the Mets on July 10. … He started once against the Giants already this season, throwing seven shutout innings on June 12 and giving up only one hit. … Anderson has allowed nine home runs in his last four starts. … Peavy was pulled from an April 17 start against the Diamondbacks after just 3 2/3 innings with a strained back. … He is making just his third start since returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list because of that back injury. … In his first start since April, Peavy threw 6 1/3 innings and surrendered two runs in a 2-1 loss to the Nationals on July 3. … Last time out, Peavy threw seven innings in a 4-1 loss to the Mets.
Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (1-1, 5.40) vs. Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner (9-5, 3.33).
Monday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Rubby De La Rosa (6-5, 5.06) vs. Marlins RHP David Phelps (4-5, 3.86).
Tuesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Jeremy Hellickson (6-5, 5.04) vs. Marlins RHP Mat Latos (3-6, 4.90).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Malaria mosquitoes are active at night. Some people told us that the dangerous time begins at 8pm, others talked about 10pm. We went to bed at sunset around 7 pm and woke up around 5am at sunrise. At night, the most common way to protect yourself is to sleep under a mosquito net. The net is hanged from a hook in the ceiling. We had a few times some very well fed mosquitoes inside the net. The first one was hiding under the bed when we lowered the net and the second time happened when there was a dog sleeping in the same room. In the middle of the night, she jumped to our bed opening the net for unwanted visitors. It can become quite hot inside the net as it also hinders air flow and blocks the effect of a fan.
Another option is to use insect poison to kill mosquitoes. There are devices spreading poison all night long. All you have to do is to remember to refill the poison liquid, or change the poison pad, and plug the device. This means that also you will be inhaling the poison. The room has to be relatively air tight and there shouldn't be any screens on the windows. Otherwise the poison will flow out without expected effect.
The last night in Africa we stayed in Jollyboys' Backpackers Hostel in Livingstone, Zambia (see the photo). It was the rainy season meaning also mosquito high season in one of the worst malaria areas in Africa. We were quite surprised to see that in our dormitory of sixteen people we were the only ones having a net, which we had to go and buy by ourselves because the hostel offered none, nor spraying or any other protective measures.
From what we learned from Africans we met, the malaria has resistance to the drugs taken in advance that pharmaceutical companies eagerly promote in Europe. That's why we decided not to take anything. In the best case, we would have gotten a false feeling of security and in the worst some nasty side-effects. Folklore is also suggesting that eating a lot of raw garlic helps to keep mosquitoes away. We did that, too, as we love raw garlic, but the only definitive reaction we received was empty seats around us in buses and airplanes.
Keywords: Malaria, prevention, preventive, medicine, P. falciparum, Tanzania, Zambia, mosquito, poison, net, medication, cerebral, brain, hospital, antimalaria, chloroquine, doxycycline, mefloquine, lariam, primaquine, atovaquone, proguanil, malarone, heliopar.


Molly is an appaloosa mare born 2008, height: 151 cms.
very quiet trekking mare, lightly hunted. does all the small xc fences etc / easy to handle in every way.
Copyright © 2006–2019 Flowerhill Equestrian Centre. All Rights Reserved.


Military Vehicle Paint - Brilliant Green – BS381c 221 Matt Finish. 3 x 400ml Aerosol.
Brilliant Green – BS381c 221 Matt Finish. 3 x 400ml Aerosol.
Dries to a tough, durable, finish that does not finger mark.
Easy spray application that dries to a professional finish.
Self priming onto all previously painted surfaces, bare steel, timber and similar.
Free Delivery to ANY UK Post Code.
Military Vehicle Paint (M.V.) is a high quality finish for Military Vehicles, working vehicles and similar items.
M.V. Paint is an easy to use product and is suitable spray application onto: metal, timber, cladding, barge boards etc and dries to an authentic matt finish that does not finger mark.
This paint is Self Priming onto previously all painted surfaces, bare steel, timber and similar, however if you are painting bare galvanised steel, aluminium or plastic you will need to prime first with either an Etch Primer or a Plastic Primer, please visit our Primer Department to view the sizes available.
2) Lightly rub down glossy surfaces to provide a key.
3) Shake can for 2 minutes prior to use to ensure uniformity.
4) Apply with an even motion.
5) Nozzle tip can be rotated for both horizontal and vertical spray applications.
Size & Coverage: 400ml aerosol, which will cover 10 to 12 square feet.


text:
Chris Paul expected to play in Game 3 of NBA Finals if Rockets advance
By Virgil Villanueva · 1 min read
Houston Rockets star Chris Paul was ruled out of Game 6 and 7 of the Western Conference Finals due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Now, a timetable has been released for Paul's return.
According to a live game report from TNT's Kristen Ledlow, in the event that the Rockets reach the NBA Finals to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, Paul is expected to suit up and play in Game 3.
Chris Paul is OUT for Game 7.
I've been told if the Rockets advance to the NBA Finals, @CP3 "could be ready" for Game 1.
But, the expectation is to be ready by Game 3. #WCF
— Kristen Ledlow (@KristenLedlow) May 29, 2018
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is slated to tip off on May 31, Thursday. Game 3 will be on June 6 in the Cavs' home court.
Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni, prior to Game 7 against the Golden State Warriors, noted the severity of Paul's injury. As per Tim MacMahon of ESPN:
LeBron James, Chris Paul, sports world react to brutal Tyre Nichols arrest video
Angelo Guinhawa · 20 hours ago
"There was just no way," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Everybody came to the same conclusion. There was just no way."
"I'm sure he's way down and devastated, but like us all, he's probably excited for the game, to get the win and get him back and we'll go on," D'Antoni said.
"He couldn't explode off it, couldn't push off of it," D'Antoni said. "Just not ready. I knew it was a long shot from when it happened. Just nature's got to take care of it. It's going to be a little bit."
Starting today, Paul will approximately have two weeks of rehab for his hamstring.
Tags: Chris Paul, Houston Rockets
Candace Parker reveals she's joining Aces in free agency
Alex House · 4 minutes ago
Pirates manager Derek Shelton keeps it real on Bryan Reynolds' trade request
Highly-touted Dodgers' prospect gets brutally honest on pitching at Dodger Stadium
Robert Williams ruled out vs. LeBron James, Lakers
Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, NBA players react to Joel Embiid's monster game for Sixers vs. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Bulls guard Lonzo Ball gets brutal new injury update from Billy Donovan
Sami Zayn makes wild claim about Roman Reigns and WrestleMania 39
Details of Myles Turner's record-breaking $60 million extension with Pacers, revealed
NBA Twitter reacts to Joel Embiid outdueling Nikola Jokic during Sixers-Nuggets
Myles Turner's surprising $60M Pacers extension has NBA Twitter roasting LeBron James, Lakers


text:
Q: How to create dynamically text fields an labels as the number of my row in result set? JFrame is very new to me.
I am trying to create a new frame that will contain for each row in my result set a label with the name of the user and an individual text field for it.
The query should return all the users in the specific flat for example for flat 1 the frame should look like this:

This is the SQL table:

Please help me figure out how to do it.
Update:
I found a solution for creating it dynamically.
I decided that I want to insert the fields that creating dynamically in a panel with a scroll bar that will be inside the main panel, but I keep struggling with that.
The solution for dynamic creation:
public class NewBill extends JFrame {

    private JPanel contentPane,panel = new JPanel();
    private JScrollPane scrPane;
    private int x=93;
    private int y=103;
    private int myflatid;
    private JTextField noticetf;
    private JTextField amounttf;
    public NewBill(int myflatid) throws SQLException, ClassNotFoundException {
        this.myflatid=myflatid;
        int rows=0;
        Connection con = dbConnection.instance().getConn();

        PreparedStatement ps;
        ResultSet rs = null;
        String query ="SELECT Name, LastName FROM PayTheBills.Account WHERE Flat_id='" + myflatid + "'";
       try {
           ps = con.prepareStatement(query);

        rs = ps.executeQuery();

        while (rs.next()) {
             rows++;;
        }
        rs = ps.executeQuery();
    } catch (SQLException ex) {
        System.out.println(ex);
    }
        JTextField jt[]=new JTextField[rows];
        JLabel jl[]=new JLabel[rows];

        setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        setBounds(100, 100, 709, 574);
        contentPane = new JPanel();
        contentPane.setBorder(new EmptyBorder(5, 5, 5, 5));
        contentPane.setLayout(null);
        setContentPane(contentPane);
        contentPane.setAutoscrolls(true);

        JLabel lblNotice = new JLabel("Notice:");
        lblNotice.setFont(new Font("Tahoma", Font.BOLD, 16));
        lblNotice.setBounds(12, 45, 73, 16);
        contentPane.add(lblNotice);

        JLabel lblAmount = new JLabel("Amount:");
        lblAmount.setFont(new Font("Tahoma", Font.BOLD, 16));
        lblAmount.setBounds(12, 74, 73, 16);
        contentPane.add(lblAmount);

        noticetf = new JTextField();
        noticetf.setBounds(93, 43, 116, 22);
        contentPane.add(noticetf);
        noticetf.setColumns(10);

        amounttf = new JTextField();
        amounttf.setColumns(10);
        amounttf.setBounds(93, 73, 116, 22);
        contentPane.add(amounttf);

        JCheckBox cbox = new JCheckBox("Split even");
        cbox.setBounds(230, 71, 113, 25);
        contentPane.add(cbox);

        insert(rows,jt,jl,rs);

    }

    public void insert(int rows,JTextField[] jt,JLabel[] jl,ResultSet rs) throws SQLException
    {
        for(int i = 0;i<rows;i++) {
            jt[i]=new JTextField();
            jt[i].setBounds(x, y, 116, 22);
            getContentPane().add(jt[i]);
            if(rs.next())
            jl[i]=new JLabel(rs.getString(1)+" "+rs.getString(2));
            jl[i].setFont(new Font("Tahoma", Font.BOLD, 18));
            jl[i].setBounds(12, y, 150, 30);
            getContentPane().add(jl[i]);
            revalidate();
            repaint();
            y+=30;
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This article section brings 94 photo of Kindergarten, some of them are including Kindergarten Writing Sentences Worksheets New Collection Of Free. Free Printable Script Writing Worksheets Kindergarten Writing. 2nd Grade Writing Worksheets Free Printable Areapoggi Club. Kindergarten Practice Cursive Writing Worksheets Practice Writing.


Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will release their brand new single, "P.O.W.", on June 17. A video for the track an be seen below. The song is the third single taken from their critically acclaimed fourth album, "Temper Temper", and follows on from the previous singles, "Temper Temper" and "Riot", both of which were A-listed by BBC Radio 1.
Having completed sold-out tours of the Australia, Europe and America, the band will return to the U.K. in June where they will be second headliners on the main stage at Download festival on Friday, June 14. The band will also make a special announcement that afternoon at Download.
"Temper, Temper" sold 44,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on February 12 via RCA.
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE recently headlined the fifth edition of the "HardDrive Live" tour, which kicked off on April 12 in Denver. Joining them were main support HALESTORM, plus special guests YOUNG GUNS and openers STARS IN STEREO. The trek was sponsored by "HardDrive".


Image Title: Stackable Bunk Bed With Storage Stairs And Trundle 1800BunkBed Within Beds Prepare 16. Filename: stackable-bunk-bed-with-storage-stairs-and-trundle-1800bunkbed-within-beds-prepare-16.jpg. Image Dimension: 780 x 655 pixels. Images Format: jpg/jpeg. Publisher/Author: Travon Moen. Uploaded Date: Saturday - May 05th. 2018 15:48:51 PM. Category: Architecture. Image Source: archdaily.com.
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This Us Congressional District Map picture is in category Us Maps that can use for individual and noncommercial purpose because All trademarks referenced here in are the properties of their respective owners. You can browse other picture of Us Congressional District Map in our galleries below. If you want to see other picture, you can browse our other category. Having problem with Us Congressional District Map picture copyright? you can read our DMCA page in here and contact us at here with give us any detail info that you are an owner for Us Congressional District Map picture. Us Congressional District Map.
Us Maps: Us Congressional District Map. Us Congressional District Map By Party. Us Congressional District Map Florida. Us Congressional District Map Texas.


text:
Journal d'un corps est un roman de Daniel Pennac paru aux éditions Gallimard en 2012 (et réédité l'année suivante illustré par Manu Larcenet aux éditions Futuropolis).

Résumé
De 13 à 87 ans, âge de sa mort, le narrateur a tenu le journal de son corps. Nous qui nous sentons parfois si seuls dans le nôtre nous découvrons peu à peu que ce jardin secret est un territoire commun. Tout ce que nous taisions est là, noir sur blanc, et ce qui nous faisait si peur devient souvent matière à rire.

Le récit parfois assez cru, sans artifices, de toute une existence, examinée et décrite depuis le corps. La vérité profonde est celle du corps de cet homme né en 1923 et mort en 2010 à l'âge de 87 ans, ce narrateur qui a tenu avec scrupule et minutie le journal de son corps depuis sa douzième année en 1935.

Journal singulier qui peut être tour à tour drôle et émouvant, celui d'un corps qui se découvre, qui souffre, qui aime, qui passe par tous les « ressentis », étranger aussi dans son autonomie par rapport au narrateur mais familier, intime dans cette dialectique du contenant-contenu.

Sa vérité dérive entre réalité et fantasmes d'un récit qui débute par un cauchemar, angoisse existentielle d'une peur d'enfant ligoté dans une forêt par ses camarades au cours d'un jeu de guerre, alors qu'une colonie de méchantes fourmis veut le dévorer.

Le récit se présente comme ceci :

Relations critiques
  (L'Express, Guillaume Sbalchiero le 8/02/2012).
  (La Croix, Jean-Claude Raspiengeas le 8/02/2012).

Adaptation
En 2013, le roman est réédité dans une version illustrée : il est  (comme indiqué sur la couverture) par Manu Larcenet, éd. Futuropolis, 384 p. .

Références

Lien externe

 Interview RTL.

Roman français paru en 2012
Roman de Daniel Pennac
Roman français adapté en bande dessinée
Roman se déroulant au XXe siècle
Roman se déroulant dans les années 2000

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


It's old-school fun, for sure. The Boardwalk – named the No. 1 Boardwalk on USA Today's 2016 Reader's Choice list – may not offer the highest-tech, most-extreme rides like some of today's bigger amusement parks. But it has a lot of things they don't have – mainly the beach. Plus a giant video-game arcade, indoor mini golf and more history than most of the other parks put together.
And one of the best parts – you can do as much or as little as you want, because there's no overall admission fee. You can buy electronic tickets to pay for individual rides, or opt for unlimited day and season passes. But you don't even have to ride anything at all – just walk the walk, get some saltwater taffy at Marini's candy stand, make a sand castle and absorb the sunset.
Be advised, go early – especially in the summer. On nice days, it gets super crowded, and parking is tricky, so the earlier you go, the better. Go during the week if you can. Take advantage of specials, like the $1 rides on Retro Nights (after 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays during summer months), free outdoor movies on Wednesday nights, and free concerts on Fridays.
OK, so it's hard to miss the Giant Dipper with its curvaceous back rising above the shoreline like a red-and-white sea monster. But here's a little more about it: It just turned 92. It was built in 1924 in a mere 47 days for $50,000. (By contrast, its 2014 paint job alone cost $300,000.) The swooping beauty is a National Historic Landmark and meticulously cared for – maintenance crews walk the tracks every operating hour, every day. And it's a favorite of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, says that group's Northern California rep, Nicholas Laschkewitsch.
You won't, of course. Especially if you're a weenie and you cling to the safety bar.
The hand-carved horses of the carousel have been spinning their circular route since 1911. The original Ruth & Sohn band organ has played alongside the carousel since it opened, and now a rare Wurlitzer from the former Playland-at-the-Beach and a third, smaller Wurlitzer take turns pumping out the carnival music. The Looff is one of the few remaining carousels in the country where you can still try to grab a brass ring (these days they're steel) and throw it in a giant clown's mouth.
Take the ski-lift style ride along the length of the Boardwalk, for great views and a lovely breeze to cool you on a warm day.
This one is easy to miss, down on the lower level at the southern end of the Boardwalk. But it's worth it for its weirdness. You ride a little train into a psychedelic glow-in-the-dark world of wacky animatronic dinosaurs and cave people – kind of the Flintstones on Haight-Ashbury.
This vast indoor realm includes Smuggler's Arcade – 300 games, from classics such as Asteroids and Pac-Man, to the newest "4-D" pod-style games, such as Dark Escape and Star Wars Battle Pods. Plus, there's an old-school shooting gallery, pool tables and air hockey.
This is a must. Marini's, near Neptune's Kingdom, has been on the Boardwalk since 1915, selling all manner of treats, including saltwater taffy. Become mesmerized watching a machine in the front window, pulling the taffy again and again and again. It will mentally command you to go buy some taffy. You will obey.
Just what the name indicates, it's a twisted, sliced potato on a stick. This snack is so popular, it just got a new storefront this year, midway down the Boardwalk.
Yes, they exist, even here. Boardwalk food concessionaire Matt Twisselman recently won a Golden Carrot Award for healthful options, such as rice bowls and wraps at various stands in the park.
Check out historic photos, restored vintage arcade games, old dresslike bathing suits from the natatorium and more in the Boardwalk Historium – it's free, upstairs inside Neptune's Kingdom.
For more history, go to the Boardwalk's website and download a PDF for a self-guided walking tour. Or watch for Historic Walking Tour placards located throughout the park.
Miss the old Fun House? It closed in 1971, but you can still see your funny self in the old distorted mirrors, tucked away inside Neptune's Kingdom (below the stairs, across from Boardwalk Magic Store).
Photo-ops. There's a good one near the carousel next to oversized beach balls and a big red "Boardwalk" sign. Not far from there, you can pose on a bench with one of the stray cavemen and take a prehistoric selfie. It's a freaky time-travel vortex.


ABSTRACT - In contrast to our understanding of satisfaction with low involvement products, there is still very little understanding of the factors that influence satisfaction with high involvement products. This paper draws upon two distinct bodies of research, satisfaction theory and decision making theory, to develop three rival hypotheses on satisfaction with high involvement products. These three hypotheses have important, yet different implications, for satisfaction with a unique high involvement product health care. According to these hypotheses, satisfaction is determined by (1) by the discrepancy between patient expectations and physician performance, or (2) primarily by physician performance, or (3) by providing the consumer with more information about health care alternatives.
Mary Beth Barber and Meera Venkatraman (1986) ,"The Determinants of Satisfactionfor a High Involvment Product: Three Rival Hypotheses and Their Implications in the Health Care Context", in NA - Advances in Consumer Research Volume 13, eds. Richard J. Lutz, Provo, UT : Association for Consumer Research, Pages: 316-320.
In contrast to our understanding of satisfaction with low involvement products, there is still very little understanding of the factors that influence satisfaction with high involvement products. This paper draws upon two distinct bodies of research, satisfaction theory and decision making theory, to develop three rival hypotheses on satisfaction with high involvement products. These three hypotheses have important, yet different implications, for satisfaction with a unique high involvement product health care. According to these hypotheses, satisfaction is determined by (1) by the discrepancy between patient expectations and physician performance, or (2) primarily by physician performance, or (3) by providing the consumer with more information about health care alternatives.
While researchers have focused on the determinants of satisfaction for a low involvement, frequently purchased, convenience product (Olshavsky & Miller 1972; Prakash & Lounsbury 1983; Swan & Combs 1976), less attention has been devoted to the factors that influence the satisfaction with a high involvement product (Day 1977; Oliver & Bearden 1983; Churchill & Surprenant 1982). The Disconfirmation Theory, which is the dominant paradigm in the satisfaction literature, has been successful in explaining satisfaction/dissatisfaction with a variety of low involvement products, but it is less successful in explaining the same phenomenon for high involvement products (Oliver & Bearden 1983; Churchill & Suprenant 1982). Other explanations of satisfaction with these types of products are suggested by the empirical research on consumer satisfaction but have not been systemically explored (Oliver & Bearden 1983: Churchill & Suprenant 1982).
It is important to understand the processes by which the satisfaction with a high involvement product is determined, since involvement affects the extent and nature of post-purchase processing, which in turn influences satisfaction. As defined by Petty and Capicippo (1981) and others, involvement refers to the activation of problem solving behavior when the act of purchase or consumption is seen by the decision maker as having high personal importance or relevance. The greater the involvement with a product the greater the likelihood of post-purchase evaluation, and the more extreme the post-purchase evaluations (Gronhaug 1977; Richins 1982). The strength of post-purchase evaluations influences satisfaction, which determines the post-purchase behaviors such as repeat purchase and word-of-mouth. While the importance of repeat purchase is self-explanatory, word-of-mouth communication is important because it influences the purchase of others for high involvement products (Assael 1981; Engel & Blackwell 1982). Thus, satisfaction becomes an even more important issue for a high involvement product.
In this context, this paper examines the determinants of satisfaction for a high involvement product. Its contribution is that it studies the factors which influence satisfaction not only from the perspective of current research in consumer satisfaction theory but also from the consumer decision making theory perspective.
H1: Satisfaction with a high involvement product is determined by the discrepancy between expectations and performance.
Thus, according to the Disconfirmation Theory, EXPECTATIONS and PERFORMANCE determine satisfaction with a high involvement product. The theory and its building blocks, expectations and performance, have to be tailored to the study of satisfaction with high involvement products, since the dimensions of these building blocks that are relevant for high involvement products are different from those that are relevant for low involvement products. These dimensions will be briefly discussed next. EXPECTATIONS differ by tope (Miller 1977), nature(Day 1977), and source (LaTour & Peat 1980). Four types of expectations have been identified: ideal, expected, minimum tolerable, and desirable (Miller 1977). "Ideal" expectations seem to be most relevant for high involvement products since highly involved consumers tend to have "higher" expectations (Oliver 1980). In contrast, "minimum tolerable" expectations seem to be a more relevant standard to compare performance with a low involvement product. The "minimum tolerable" standard implies a conjunctive decision making rule (Bettman 1979) that low involvement consumers are likely to use to reduce the cognitive and physical effort of searching and evaluating.
The nature of the expectations refers to the dimensions of the product about which the consumer has expectations (Day 1977). In the purchase of a high involvement product, the social, psychological and functional risks involved are high and consequently, consumers hold expectations about a greater number of attributes than they do for low involvement products. For example, in the purchase of an automobile, consumers have expectations regarding the appearance and style of the vehicle, quality of materials, the quality of the workmanship, warranty coverage, etc. (Day & Ash 1978). In contrast, for a low involvement product, the risks involved are fewer and lower and therefore, consumers have expectations about fewer attributes.
The source of the expectation refers to the information sources from which the consumer derives his/her expectations. Traditionally, research has concentrated on the expectations derived from test reports, manufacturers, and unspecified sources (La Tour & Peat 1980). However, this extant research ignores other important sources of expectations, such as personal past experience and others' past experience (La Tour & Peat 1980). These sources play a key role in the determination of expectations for a high involvement product. Since high involvement product decisions are risky and important, consumers tend to rely heavily on their own past experience and the past experience of others in the determination of expectations. The utilization of information from others rends to alleviate some of the uncertainty surrounding complex product evaluations (Cohen & Golden 1972) such as in the case of a with involvement product.
Two dimensions of PERFORMANCE become important in determining the satisfaction with high involvement products. The first is the functional or instrumental performance of the product. However, this dimension of performance is also important for low involvement products. The second dimension, expressive or psychological performance, becomes particularly relevant for high involvement products due to their high degree of social, financial, physical, and/or psychological risk (Swan & Combs 1976).
In summary, according to the disconfirmation theory, satisfaction for a high involvement product results from the discrepancy between expectations and performance. For a high involvement product,-the standards used to compare performance are "ideal" expectations, which the consumer derives from a number of sources; the most important of which is personal sources. Further, the performance dimension that becomes particularly relevant in determining satisfaction with a high involvement product is the expressive/psychological performance dimension.
While much of consumer satisfaction research is based on the disconfirmation paradigm, alternatives to this classical model are suggested by both the conceptual and the empirical research on consumer satisfaction. Oliver and Bearden (1983) found that the importance of expectations as a determinant of satisfaction decreases for high involvement products and the importance of performance increases. Thus, according to Oliver and Bearden (1983, p. 253), "high involvement decreases his/her sensitivity to pre-usage phenomena and increases his/her sensitivity to outcome phenomena." This means that, performance becomes an independent determinant of satisfaction.
Churchill and Suprenant (1982) report this independent role of performance in the determination of satisfaction for a video disk player. In an empirical research study of 126 respondents, they found that satisfaction with a video disc player is primarily determined by the performance of the product. "Neither the disconfirmation experience nor subjects' initial expectations affected subjects' satisfaction with the product" (Churchill & Suprenant 1982, p. 502). rhus, the authors report the existence of a direct performance-satisfaction link for some products.
H2: Satisfaction with a high involvement product is determined primarily by the performance of the product.
The consumer choice literature should help us understand the processes through which satisfaction or dissatisfaction is achieved. However, the research that links consumer decision making processes with satisfaction is very limited (Bettman 1979; Day & Hunt 1979). In applying consumer decision making theory to satisfaction, this paper adopts the interactionist model proposed by Punj & Stewart (1983). This framework is relevant for high involvement products since involvement is the result of the interaction between person and situation (Mitchell 1979; Kassarjian 1981).
The research on consumer decision making indicates that involvement has a tremendous impact on consumer choice processes. This research is summarized into five categories: (1) Pre-purchase Expectations; (2) Search; (3) Processing; (4) Post-purchase Evaluation; and (5) Consequences.
Pre-purchase Expectations: Little research has been conducted which relates pre-purchase expectations to choice processes (Bettman 1979). Search: The risk and uncertainty of high involvement decisions stimulates a high degree of search (Jacoby, Chestnut & Fisher 1978; Swan 1972; Wright 1975) and encourages consumers to rely on referent groups and other alternative sources of information (Assael 1981; Engel & Blackwell 1982: Leibenstein 1976, 1978).
High involvement decisions are associated with high search costs and high experience costs. The high experience costs of high involvement products are a result of the psychological, social, financial, and physical risk associated with purchasing an unsatisfactory product (Price 1981). The high search costs result from a possible delay in the purchase decision (Engle, Blackwell, & Kollat 1978), from the frustrations incurred in search (Downs 1961), and from the amount and appropriateness of existing information (Engel & Blackwell 1982). Processing: The literature indicates that consumers conduct extensive information processing and attempt to maximize their expected satisfaction with the purchase of a high involvement product (Assael 1981; Engel & Blackwell 1982). Likewise, high involvement decisions tent to produce faster evaluation and more alternative (brand) evaluations (Gartner, Mitchell, & Russo 1972; Wright 1972). Post-purchase Evaluations: The level of product involvement will affect the strength of the post-purchase evaluation (Oliver & Bearden 1983) and whether or not post-purchase evaluations are triggered (Day 1977). The higher the level of involvement, the more active and more extreme the post-purchase evaluations. Consequences of Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction: Consumer satisfaction is generally a significant determinant of repeat sales, positive word-of-mouth, and consumer loyalty (Bearden & Teel 1983; LaBarbara & Mazursky 1983). Day and Landon (1977) suggest that dissatisfaction encourages three different consumer behavior patterns: (1) No Action; (2) Private Action, e.g., warning friends, family, etc. and personal decision to stop buying the product and/or boycott the store; and (3) Public Action, e.g., seek redress from the firm or manufacturer; complain to business, private or government agency; take legal action.
To summarize this discussion, the greater the involvement with the product the greater the search for information about the product, the larger the number of information sources used, and the more extensive the information processing undertaken by the consumer. More importantly, the consumer undertakes extensive post-purchase evaluation and attempts to maximize their satisfaction with the product. The implication of this paradigm is that by providing the consumer with more information about a product with which the consumer is highly involved, the satisfaction with the product can be increased, since the consumer will process this information and develop well defined and realistic expectations.
The empirical research on consumer choice behavior for a high involvement product suggests an alternative to Hypothesis One and Two.
This hypothesis suggests that given more information, consumers will conduct extensive choice processing, develop well defined expectations, and consequently make better decisions and be more satisfied. However, this premise has generated some dialogue and controversy in the area of consumer decision making. Those in support of the proposition favored the development of consumer information programs to bring about significant changes in the cognitive processes, behaviors, and satisfaction levels of consumers (Bloom 1976; Richardson 1975). They contended that the possession of more information is a sufficient condition for improved decision making (Stern 1967).
Those in opposition argued that more information is not necessarily better, and in fact, may lead to substantially worse decisions (Jacoby 1974). These less optimal decisions may be due to information overload (Jacoby, Speller, & Kohn 1974). Moreover, not only is the amount of information related to decision making, but the content of the information is also relevant. Consumers are often unable to use the information because they do not understand its significance (Capon & Lutz 1979).
In the case of high involvement products, however, it is hypothesized that more information will lead to better decisions. This is due to the fact that since the consumer is highly involved, he/she is motivated to search for this information, evaluate and integrate it, and base decisions on this information. Thus, the critical difference between research that found that more information does not improve decision making and this research, is the nature of the product.
H2: Satisfaction with a high involvement product is determined solely by performance of the good.
H3: The greater the amount of information available about a high involvement product the greater the satisfaction of the consumer.
The requirements of a decision making context in which to test these hypotheses are (1) It should be a high involvement decision making situation (2) There should be a paucity of relevant information based on which the consumer can make the decision, and (3) Satisfaction or dissatisfaction should have important implications.
The health care context is an appropriate setting in which to test these hypotheses because: (1) the choice of a physician is a high involvement decision with a great deal of risk and uncertainty (Berkanovic & Reeder 1974), (2) there is a lack of objective information on which to base this decision (Feldman 1966), and (3) satisfaction and dissatisfaction have significant implications for consumers (patients), practitioners, and society at large.
High Involvement Situation: According to the definition of involvement previously stated - 'the activation of extended problem solving behavior when the act of purchase or consumption is seen by the decision maker as having high personal importance or relevance' - the choice of a physician and the subsequent utilization of medical services may be considered a high involvement situation. While the level of involvement may vary across different types of health care services, the purchase and utilization of health care services has traditionally tended to have a high degree of personal importance or relevance to the patient. Therefore, in choosing a doctor, patients often experience high levels of perceived risk and uncertainty (Swan & Caroll 1979). Of course the level of risk and uncertainty may vary according to the type of care sought (immunization shot versus pre-natal care), seriousness of the illness (common cold versus lung cancer), costs involved in care ($25 office fee versus $1000 surgical fee), and the personality of the person seeking care (healthy woman in her 20's versus a sickly elderly man in his 70's). Moreover, the research indicates that in general, patients, as consumers in the health care market, tend to be highly involved in the purchase of medical services, often fearing blame, punishment, and victimization in medical encounters (Berkanovic & Reeder 1974).
Type of Available Information: In the choice of a physician, an "individual decision maker must rely upon a variety of informal. highly subjective, sometimes inconsequential, and perhaps conflicting sources of information" (emphasis added) (Feldman 1966, p. 580). One important source of information is the recommendations of friends, family, neighbors, etc. (Wolinsky & Steiber 1982). Although individuals usually consider the information acquired from interpersonal sources the "next best" thing to personal experience (Feldman 1966), this information is sometimes irrelevant, informal, and conflicting which results in confusion. In summary, in the health care context, there is a lack of objective, verifiable, and relevant information on which to base decisions.
Implications of Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction: Patient satisfaction and dissatisfaction has significant implications in the health care context. The former has been shown to enhance patients' psychological trust, physical well-being, compliance, and utilization of medical care. Dissatisfaction has been found to encourage doctor shopping and the incidence of malpractice (Betz & O'Connell 1983; Hulka, Kupper, Cassel, and Babineau 1975; Jasnoski 1985).
These three alternative hypotheses have important, yet different implications, for actions that need to be taken to increase satisfaction with health care.
Hypothesis One proposes that satisfaction with high involvement products is determined by the disconfirmation paradigm or the relationship between expectations and performance. This implies that practitioners should attempt to influence both EXPECTATIONS and PERFORMANCE. The former can be impacted through consumer education programs, advertising campaigns, community workshops, brochures about office procedures, cost of services, medications prescribed, etc. The goal of such endeavors is to adequately inform patients about what to expect in the medical encounter. In terms of PERFORMANCE, practitioners should concentrate on the "caring" aspects of performance. Performance will be addressed in more detail in the next section.
Hypothesis two states that satisfaction with a high involvement product is determined primarily by the performance of the product. Support for this hypothesis would suggest that practitioners should focus their attention on the PERFORMANCE aspect of medical care. Two types of behaviors are important in a patient's evaluation of a physician's performance: tl) Caring behavior, and (2) Curing behavior. The latter refers to the technical competency of the physician and the former refers to his/her affective behaviors or interpersonal skills. Lacking the ability to judge or evaluate the technical competency of a physician, patients confine their judgements to the mode of interaction, the caring behaviors of a physician (Ben-Sira 1976). Thus, to enhance patients' evaluation of performance, efforts should concentrate on the affective or caring behaviors of physicians. Some suggestions would include (1) developing course-work on interpersonal skill training and requiring it in the medical school curriculum, (2) offering continuing education seminars for physicians which allow them to sharpen existing skills and acquire new skills in verbal and non-verbal communication, and (3) strengthening the physician-patient rapport.
Hypothesis Three proposes that if consumers are given more information, they will conduct extensive choice processing, develop well defined expectations, and consequently achieve high levels of satisfaction. Support for this hypothesis would indicate that consumers should be provided with more information to assist them in their choice of a health care delivery system such as solo practice, group practice, emergency care centers, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, etc.
In today's rapidly changing environment, the consumer is faced with a confusing multitude of alternatives that have only recently emerged. The Hypothesis Three suggests that to increase satisfaction with health care services, the consumer needs to be educated about how to choose a health care delivery system. As opposed to Hypothesis One, which implies that consumers must be educated about what to expect from their encounter with the physician, Hypothesis Three suggests the need to educate the consumer about health care alternatives. The focus of such an education program must be two-fold. One objective is to make the consumer aware of the alternatives, and the second is to educate the consumer about the advantages and the disadvantages of the alternatives and the criteria that can be used to evaluate them.
In summary, Hypothesis One implies that to increase satisfaction with health care, consumer education programs need to focus on influencing the consumer expectations about the encounter with the doctor. The performance of the doctor is also important according to this theory, since the discrepancy between the doctor's performance and expectations influences satisfaction. According to Hypothesis Two in contrast, the performance is the sole influencing factor of satisfaction. This suggests that the performance of the doctor needs to be improved especially in terms of the "caring" aspects of the encounter. The third Hypothesis implies that consumer education programs need to be instituted to make consumers aware of the health care delivery alternatives which are available and provide them with criteria to evaluate these alternatives.
This paper examines the determinants of satisfaction for a high involvement product from the perspective of consumer satisfaction theory and consumer choice theory. This investigation of the determinants of satisfaction leads to the development of three alternative hypotheses on the factors that influence satisfaction for high involvement products. The first hypothesis, based on the dominant paradigm in consumer satisfaction literature, the disconfirmation theory, suggests that the discrepancy between expectations and performance influences satisfaction with a product. The second hypothesis which is derived from recent research on consumer satisfaction proposes that satisfaction is influenced primarily by performance. The third hypothesis, based on consumer decision making theory, is that "reliable" and "valid" information can help increase consumer satisfaction with high involvement products.
The health care context is proposed as a relevant context in which to test these hypotheses because: (1) the choice of a physician is a high involvement decision; (2) there is a lack of objective information; and (3) satisfaction and dissatisfaction have significant implications for consumers (patients), practitioners, and society at large.
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4 Unesco World Heritage Sites Pinoys can visit visa-free
by Gudiq · Published August 15, 2015 · Updated August 18, 2015
If you have a Philippine passport, you won't need a visa to visit these beautiful locations, just waiting to be your next travel destination.
When it comes to ease of acquiring visas, a Filipino passport does have its limitations. You cannot simply book a flight to Europe and see the Eiffel Tower, walk the streets of Prague or the Old Town of Regensburg in Germany without going through a rigorous screening process to secure a Schengen Visa, for example.
Southeast Asia has its own charming UNESCO Heritage Towns that Filipinos can visit without worrying about a visa.
These sites have historical and cultural significance tied to their colonial and ancient past that will inspire the traveler in you.
George Town is the capital of Penang, Malaysia. Georgetown traces its history as early as the 1700s, but the city began to flourish when Captain Francis Light took possession of Penang under the East India Trading Company. The city, along with Melaka, played a crucial role in the trade between East and West along the Straits of Malacca spanning 500 years.
Its eclectic mix of European and Asian influence is prevalent when you walk its streets. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008, a stroll down town will take you back in time. There are decades, some even centuries old, houses, forts, temples and mosques built by the Chinese, Indians and British.
Named after Charles Cornwallis, Fort Cornwallis is one of Penang's most renowned landmarks. The fortress is home to many original structures built more than a century ago such as the original flagstaff, chapel, prison cells and ammunition storage.
Built more than a century ago in the 1890s, Kek Lok Si temple is home to verdant gardens, towering 120-foot bronze statue of Guan Yin and the 7-story pagoda of Rama VI draws domestic and foreign tourists alike.
Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic revitalized the old town's streets with wall paintings depicting local life, from rickshaw drivers to children playing.
George Town is a fusion of East and West with British-inspired forts and centuries old temples, and an artist's enclave with art bringing the old buildings to life.
How to get to George Town: There are direct flights from Manila to Kuala Lumpur. From Kuala Lumpur, there is a connecting flight to Penang. Alternatively, there is a 5- to 6-hour bus ride from the city to Penang.
Malacca or Melaka is the third smallest Malaysian state; the state's historical city center has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 2008. The state is part of the strategic and historic Straits of Malacca trade route of East and West.
Unlike its busier counterpart in Georgetown, Melaka charms visitors with its laid-back and lost-in-time ambiance with many structures built by its Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and Muslim inhabitants decades or centuries ago. Stores close early, some before 6pm, traffic trudges by at a languorous pace and city life is a leisurely experience.
Christ Church is the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia. Built by the Dutch in 1753, the enormous white cross and distinctly red color makes it one of the most prominent landmarks in town.
Stadhuys, situated near the church, is a pinkish-red governor's residence and town hall, said to be the oldest Dutch structure in the East.
St. Paul Church, built in 1521, is a vestige of the town's colonial past. St. Francis Xavier used the church as his base for missionary work to Japan and China. In 1952, a statue of the saint was built in front of the ruins to commemorate his 400-year anniversary in Melaka.
Between the historic structures are charming Chinese and Malay shops and houses, and walls with colorful murals depicting Malaysian culture and diversity.
Weekends add vibrancy to this laidback town as Jonker Street lights up for the Night Market. Walk the street and purchase souvenirs, listen to karaoke, or eat all sorts of street food such as chicken satay, chicken rice ball or the colorful and delicious ice cendol (similar to halo-halo).
The eastern and western influences created a hodgepodge of cultures seen in old, ruinous forts and churches, and restored Malay and Chinese houses that make Melaka a premier tourist destination.
How to get to Melaka: There are direct flights from Manila to Kuala Lumpur. Once in the city there are buses that go to Melaka; the journey takes approximately 3 hours.
There are other noteworthy UNESCO listed sites near Penang and Melaka. The Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley in Perak contains records of early man outside Africa. The newly inscribed botanic gardens in Singapore offer a breezy and relaxing getaway from the bustle of the city.
Made part of UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1999, Hoi An is a well-maintained trading port active between the 15th to 19th centuries which was widely used for trading in the region, East Asia and with the rest of the world.
Since its days as a bustling trade center, Hoi An has transformed into a tourist destination in Central Vietnam. The tourism boom has not affected this small town's way of life. Many of the traditional wooden buildings and original street plan remains the same.
Upon entering town, the locals and guides, and the view of the traditional houses lining the streets will take you back to its glory days as a trade route. The frenetic pace of rapidly developing Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City contrast with the relaxed pace of Hoi An.
Quaint, old houses sell colorful lanterns in hues of red, blue, orange and green. Foreign and local visitors alike can also have a suit or dress made, as Hoi An is known as a top-rate tailoring destination in the country.
The small town comes to life when the sun sets, as locals cast lit lanterns down the river. Have a taste of a well-known local dish, cao lau (made of noodles, pork and greens) while the river lights up in different shades of yellow and red.
How to get to Hoi An: There are direct flights from Manila to Ho Chi Minh City. Once in Saigon, get a connecting flight to Da Nang then ride a bus or a taxi to Hoi An.
Alternatively, there are buses that travel from the city to Hoi An, and the trip may take approximately 18 hours one way.
After exploring the ancient town, book a tour or rent a motorbike to the UNESCO listed Champa ruins of My Son. Head further north to visit some of Hue's monuments such as the royal tombs of Khai Dinh and Minh Mang or walk the streets of the royal palace, which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You don't have to leave the country to explore a UNESCO Heritage Town, as we have one 9 hours away from Manila.
Vigan, established in the 16th century by colonizers, is an example of a well-preserved Spanish colonial town in the region. The architecture of the buildings combines influences from Europe and China, making it a unique destination.
Inscribed as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1999, the cobblestone streets of Calle Crisologo, the clopping of horse-drawn kalesas, and the old shops, churches and houses take you to Spanish era Philippines.
The old houses turned souvenir shops lining the streets combine traditional Filipino housing design and Chinese architecture. The homes have a stone-built lower portion, a timber-framed upper section and a tiled roof. The exterior walls of the upper story have window panels made of wood and kapis shells, which homeowners slide back for ventilation.
The aroma of bagnet, longganisa and empanada will tickle your taste buds and will lead you to the nearest local restaurant.
The best time to visit the old town is early in the morning as crowds have yet to arrive. You get to see the cobblestone streets and old houses with little to no tourists taking photos. Calle Crisologo gets a romantic ambiance when the sun sets as light orange bathes the streets.
How to get to Vigan: There are several buses from Manila to Vigan, bus liners such as Partas, Dominion Bus and Florida travel this route. The trip takes approximately 8 to 9 hours one-way. Alternatively, there are direct flights from Manila to Laoag, from Laoag travel by bus to Vigan.
Nearby UNESCO Heritage Sites, include the Ifugao Rice Terraces and the Paoay Church. If you're up for trekking and adventure, head to Batad's verdant, amphitheater-like terraces.
Filipinos don't have to apply for a visa to get to these UNESCO Heritage Towns. Each site has ties to eastern and western influences that will take you on a cultural and historical sojourn as you taste the food, explore the streets, and discover the attractions. Enjoy!
Source: Rappler.com
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The ObserverDrug resistance
'Antibiotic apocalypse': doctors sound alarm over drug resistance
Over-prescription of antibiotic drugs is just one of the reasons why resistance to vital medicines is growing. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo
The terrifying prospect that even routine operations will be impossible to perform has been raised by experts alarmed by the rise of drug-resistant genes
Robin McKie
Sun 8 Oct 2017 00.59 EDT Last modified on Fri 1 Dec 2017 21.37 EST
Scientists attending a recent meeting of the American Society for Microbiology reported they had uncovered a highly disturbing trend. They revealed that bacteria containing a gene known as mcr-1 – which confers resistance to the antibiotic colistin – had spread round the world at an alarming rate since its original discovery 18 months earlier. In one area of China, it was found that 25% of hospital patients now carried the gene.
Colistin is known as the "antibiotic of last resort". In many parts of the world doctors have turned to its use because patients were no longer responding to any other antimicrobial agent. Now resistance to its use is spreading across the globe.
Act now to tame the superbugs that are killing 700,000 a year
In the words of England's chief medical officer, Sally Davies: "The world is facing an antibiotic apocalypse." Unless action is taken to halt the practices that have allowed antimicrobial resistance to spread and ways are found to develop new types of antibiotics, we could return to the days when routine operations, simple wounds or straightforward infections could pose real threats to life, she warns.
That terrifying prospect will be the focus of a major international conference to be held in Berlin this week. Organised by the UK government, the Wellcome Trust, the UN and several other national governments, the meeting will be attended by scientists, health officers, pharmaceutical chiefs and politicians. Its task is to try to accelerate measures to halt the spread of drug resistance, which now threatens to remove many of the major weapons currently deployed by doctors in their war against disease.
The arithmetic is stark and disturbing, as the conference organisers make clear. At present about 700,000 people a year die from drug-resistant infections. However, this global figure is growing relentlessly and could reach 10 million a year by 2050.
The danger, say scientists, is one of the greatest that humanity has faced in recent times. In a drug-resistant world, many aspects of modern medicine would simply become impossible. An example is provided by transplant surgery. During operations, patients' immune systems have to be suppressed to stop them rejecting a new organ, leaving them prey to infections. So doctors use immunosuppressant cancer drugs. In future, however, these may no longer be effective.
Or take the example of more standard operations, such as abdominal surgery or the removal of a patient's appendix. Without antibiotics to protect them during these procedures, people will die of peritonitis or other infections. The world will face the same risks as it did before Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928.
"Routine surgery, joint replacements, caesarean sections, and chemotherapy also depend on antibiotics, and will also be at risk," says Jonathan Pearce, head of infections and immunity at the UK Medical Research Council. "Common infections could kill again."
As to the causes of this growing threat, scientists point to the widespread misuse and overuse of antibiotics and other drugs and to the failure of pharmaceutical companies to investigate and develop new sources of general medicines for the future. Western doctors are over-prescribing antibiotics to patients who expect to be given a drug for whatever complaint they have. In many countries, both land and fish farmers use antibiotics as growth promoters and indiscriminately pour them on to their livestock. Drug manufacturers also often do not dispose of their industrial waste appropriately. In the latter case the end result is antibiotics leaching into streams and rivers with alarming results, particularly in Asia.
"Environmental areas around drug manufacturing plants in Hyderabad, for instance, have had alarming concentrations of antimicrobials. Effluent from one treatment plant had concentrations of antibiotics higher than levels we try to achieve in the bloodstream of patients," says Davies.
In Asia, the widespread use of the antibiotic colistin as a growth promoter in pigs encouraged the evolution of resistant strains which have spread to humans. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo
The creation of these soups of antibiotic-laden waters and banks of drug-soaked soils is ideal for the development of "superbugs". Rare strains that are resistant to antibiotics start to thrive in farm animals that are raised in these artificial environments and emerge as highly potent infectious agents that then spread across the planet with startling speed. Examples of these include tuberculosis, which was once easily treated but which, in its modern multi-drug-resistant form, known as MDR-TB, now claims the lives of 190,000 people a year.
Another even more revealing example is provided by colistin. "Colistin was developed in the 50s," says Matthew Avison, reader in molecular biology at Bristol University. "However, its toxic side-effects made it unpopular with doctors. So it was taken up by vets and used in animals. But as resistance – in humans – to other antibiotics has spread, doctors have returned to colistin on the grounds that it was better than nothing."
But the antibiotic's widespread use as a growth promoter for poultry and pigs in Asia had – by this time – encouraged the evolution of resistant strains and these have now spread to humans. "Colistin was a drug we discarded and gave to the vets and now, all of a sudden, we expect that we can take it back again," said Avison. "However, the genie is already out of the bottle."
The position is summed up by Lance Price, an antibiotic researcher at George Washington University in Washington DC. "Superbugs are gaining strength because we continue to squander these precious medicines through overuse in human medicine and as cheap production tools in animal agriculture."
Bans on the agricultural use of antibiotics like colistin are being imposed in Asia but have come far too late to be effective, a problem acknowledged by Lord Jim O'Neill, whose report to the UK government on antimicrobial resistance was published last year. "When we were putting our report together, colistin resistance was considered to be a problem that would not affect us for some time. Now we find it has already spread all over the place."
The report that was overseen by O'Neill – who will be speaking at this week's conference in Berlin – put forward a number of proposals to stop antibiotic resistance from overwhelming health services. In particular, it argued that drug companies should now foot the bill for the development of new antibiotics and that patients should not be allowed to get them without a test to ensure they are needed.
"I find it incredible that doctors must still prescribe antibiotics based only on their immediate assessment of a patient's symptoms, just like they used to when antibiotics first entered common use in the 1950s," O'Neill said in the report, adding that the development of rapid diagnostic tests on patients – which would establish whether an antibiotic was necessary and, if so, which kind – must now be an urgent priority.
The proposal – to be debated at the conference this week – is popular, although Professor Alastair Hay of Bristol University counselled caution. "It is a very good idea, but we should note that a new type of diagnostic test like this will also add time and work for our already overburdened health service," he points out.
Then there is the issue of travel, one of the biggest problems we face over the spread of antimicrobial resistance, according to Davies, who has spearheaded Britain's part in the battle to fight its spread around the world.
"One Swedish study followed a group of young backpackers who went off on holiday to different parts of the world. None had resistant bacteria in their guts when they left. When they returned a quarter of them had picked up resistant bugs. That shows the pervasive nature of the problem we face," she said.
Tourism, personal hygiene, farming, medical practice – all are affected by the issue of antibiotic resistance, and it will be the task of the conference to highlight the most effective and speedy solutions to tackle the crisis.
"In the end, the problem posed to the planet by antimicrobial resistance is not that difficult," says O'Neill. "All that is required is to get people to behave differently. How you achieve that is not so clear, of course."
This article was amended on 11 October 2017 to amend a quote from the chief medical officer of England who, in the original piece, had inadvertently merged two environmental studies: one concerning the river Ganges and another on the area around Hyderabad. A photograph has also been changed.


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ROGER FEDERER IS AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION AGAIN
Archives Sports
by Abdulai Majeed January 28, 2018 0248
Roger Federer won his sixth Australian Open and 20th Grand Slam title with a five-set victory over Marin Cilic.
The Swiss lost five games in a row as he dropped the fourth set but recovered to win 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 6-1.
Federer, 36, becomes only the fourth player after Margaret Court, Serena Williams and Steffi Graf to win 20 or more major singles titles.
"It's a dream come true and the fairytale continues," said Federer, who has won three of the last five majors.
The final was played under the Rod Laver Arena roof as the tournament's extreme heat policy was invoked.
Despite starting at 19:30 local time in Melbourne, the conditions were if anything more testing than 24 hours earlier, when Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep played to the point of exhaustion in the women's final.
With the roof closed and air-conditioning taking the edge off the temperature, Federer and Cilic played out a gripping contest over three hours and two minutes.
After a poor start, Cilic looked to have the momentum when he won five games in a row to force a fifth set, but Federer clung on to his serve at the start of the decider and got the key break in the following game.
The Swiss ties the record for men's Australian Open titles at six with Novak Djokovic and Roy Emerson, and moves four clear of Rafael Nadal in the all-time list for male Grand Slam champions on 20.
"I'm so happy, it's unbelievable," Federer added. "After the year I had last year, it's incredible."
Federer holds off Cilic fightback
Cilic, 29, had come into the final brimming with positivity after an impressive run to the final that included a quarter-final win over Nadal, but he made a desperate start.
He won just four points in losing the opening four games, and Federer fired down back-to-back aces on his way to serving out the set after 25 minutes.
The Swiss saw off two break points early in the second, roaring "come on!" as he pulled a forehand winner down the line, and then resumed his assault on the Cilic serve.
Three break points were saved, the third with a second-serve ace, as Cilic edged his way into a tie-break and a chance to claw his way back into the match.
The 2014 US Open champion did just that after a huge cross-court forehand brought up two set points, and he smashed away the second to level.
Federer appeared to have regained control when a deep return drew an error as he broke for 4-2 in the third, and a fabulous half-volley pick-up said the confidence was flowing as he moved ahead again.
With a point for a double-break early in the fourth, Federer appeared as good as home, but his first-serve began to falter and Cilic ripped into the second serve with his huge forehand.
After two hours and 10 minutes he finally broke the Federer serve, and a jolt of adrenaline coursed through the Croat – and the crowd – as this unexpected fightback took him to two sets all.
Federer was now struggling to contain the world number six, and was relieved to see a return hit the net on break point at the start of the fifth, before roaring as a serve saw off a second chance for the Croat.
The Swiss had halted the momentum and in the next game he grabbed it for himself with a deep, fizzing return that Cilic could not handle.
Nerves were still apparent as the eight-time Wimbledon champion urged himself on during the changeover, but he was not about to let his opponent back in, and another break of serve all but made sure.
There was time for one more moment of uncertainty for Federer when, just as in last year's final, he was forced to wait on match point for Hawk-Eye to confirm that he had indeed retained the title.
Roof closed in testing conditions
The decision before the match to keep the roof closed was greeted with surprise by those in Rod Laver Arena.
As forecast, the temperature in Melbourne during Sunday reached a very testing 37.5C, but that was below the 41C experienced earlier in the tournament, when the extreme heat rule was not involved.
However, the rule is not purely based on ambient temperature, but also other factors such as humidity, wind speed and angle of sun, known as the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT).
"The tournament referee made this decision based on qualified and professional advice from the Bureau of Meteorology who are on site, and the tournament's chief medical officer," read a Tennis Australia statement.
"At no other time during the event this year has the WBGT reading reached the threshold."
What the BBC commentators said
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash on Radio 5 live: "It was a good performance from both players. You've got to hand it to Cilic, he had to play his best tennis and keep it up. That was the problem.
"Federer was consistent the whole way through. Other than a few double faults and a few patches, it was good consistency."
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller: "Federer has previously won 19 of these, but he has a look of a man who's never done it before. He may be 36, but he shows no sign of ageing. He's proved yet again he's too good for the rest of the world."
Federer Cilic
Match duration: Three hours, three minutes
24 Aces 16
4 Double faults 5
6/13 Break points won 2/9
14/18 Net points won 14/19
41 Winners 45
40 Unforced errors 64
152 Total points won 128
Federer's route to the title
Match Opponent (seeding) Score
First round Aljaz Bedene 6-3 6-4 6-3
Second round Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4)
Third round Richard Gasquet (29) 6-2 7-5 6-4
Fourth round Marton Fucsovics 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-2
Quarter-finals Tomas Berdych (19) 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 6-4
Semi-finals Chung Hyeon 6-1 5-2 retired
Final Marin Cilic (6) 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 6-1
Source:bbc.com/sport
ROGER FEDERER QUALIFIES FOR AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL
GHANA BLACK PRINCESSES ARE THROUGH TO FIFA UNDER 20 WORLD CUP
MUKARAMA ABDULAI DENIES WISHING HER COLLEAGUE PLAYERS BAD
Abdulai Majeed December 9, 2018 December 9, 2018
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yakubu alhassan June 10, 2019 June 10, 2019
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To choose a destination for the long holiday, people have their own reasons like weather, landscapes, cuisine, entertainment activities…But there is a country which probably satisfies the most fastidious tourists: Thailand. The country of smiles and wonderful things attracts travelers by a lot of reasons. Let's read to know what they are and prepare a trip to Thailand promptly.
Are all of these factors enough to attract you? I believe the answer is "yes" because this nation welcomes millions of visitors each year.
Thai cuisine plays an important part in drawing tourists all over the world. It is the exquisite combination of herbs, spices and fresh food with special cooking styles. Local curries, street foods or sweet fruit smoothies…really make you impressed.
Tasting Tom Yum Goong or Kluay Buat Chee can be a major reason for us to visit Thailand. There is nothing more wonderful than walking around night bazaars and enjoying delicacies both in sidewalk eateries and in luxury restaurants.
And the most important thing is that they always smile. Therefore, if you get lost in Thailand, don't worry since you will be helped by lovely natives.
Thailand has the tropical monsoon climate with 4 seasons: dry, hot, rainy and cool seasons.
The ideal time to travel is from November to February because it's not rainy and not too hot. It is said that the weather and climate of Thailand allow tourists to visit everywhere and do everything they want. Don't forget to reach nice beaches in hot summers to dispel the heat.
Besides cheap airline tickets, you won't have to spend much money shopping. Low-priced goods are present everywhere, from small shops to big commercial centers. Clothes, housewares, pictures, shoes, jewelry….
It's difficult to list all of items sold. Especially, haggling is accepted, so there is no need to feel shy to do that. If you are smart, picking up real bargains will be easy.
Coming to Thailand, you can take part in the vibrant nightlife in big cities, especially Bangkok. To feel the hustle and bustle of modern urban areas, you can go out at night and enjoy the happy time in night markets, eateries, bars, clubs or other interesting places.
For those who are interested in leisure activities, Thailand is really an entertainment spot without the limit of time.
Thailand is considered a smart choice for cheap travel. It's possible for tourists to discover this country with low-budget. However, don't think that it is only for the middle class because Thailand doesn't lack luxury hotels, resorts, shopping malls and services for the rich.
In each tourist attraction, there are various kinds of services for travelers to choose. So don't be shocked if you are offered an incredible price for something in Thailand (too cheap or too pricey).


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text:
Zavalinë è una frazione del comune di Elbasan in Albania (prefettura di Elbasan).

Fino alla riforma amministrativa del 2015 era comune autonomo, dopo la riforma è stato accorpato, insieme agli ex-comuni di Bradashesh, Funarë, Gjergjan, Gjinar, Gracen, Labinot Fushë, Labinot Mal, Papër, Shirgjan, Shushicë e Tregan a costituire la municipalità di Elbasan.

Località
La frazione è formata dall'insieme delle seguenti località:
Zavaline
Selte
Kamican
Joronishte
Nezhan
Burisht

Note

Comuni dell'Albania soppressi
Frazioni della prefettura di Elbasan


If you have a burning question about the market, we can help. Want to know what you should buy? Is it a good time to sell? Ask us and we'll get the question out in front of ACC's readership. Looking to change something on your car? From the right way to do the job down to what the value impact of the change might be, ACC's readers have the answers, and they're not afraid to kick a few tires and tell it like it is.
Here's how it works: We select one question per issue and send that question out to ACC's readership. The readers then send us their thoughts on the matter, and we then take those thoughts and build them into the forum page you see in print. Send us your questions at comments@americancarcollector.com and we'll get started.
The next issue of ACC is just around the corner, and your question might be included if you get it to us by Friday at 10 am PST.
It's hard to believe that we're now building issue #30. That issue rounds out our fourth year and starts off our fifth, and we've got some great content in store for you coming out of Monterey and the summer auctions. Stay tuned!


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NFL Insider Offers Update On Washington QB Alex Smith
December 18, 2020 by The Spun Leave a Comment
Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith is expected to get some reps in Friday's practice after not participating on Wednesday and Thursday.
Smith aggravated what he called a "minor" calf issue in last week's matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. ESPN NFL insider Ian Rapoport offered an update on the QB's injury status on Twitter Friday morning.
Washington QB Alex Smith, who didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, is planning to attempt to get some work in today. The team has hoped he would start despite a calf strain, and practicing on a limited basis today would go a long way toward that.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2020
After starting the season as Washington's third string quarterback, Smith has caught his stride as the team's starter in recent weeks. The WFT has now won four straight games with Smith under center.
Smith took over as QB1 after Kyle Allen suffered a brutal ankle injury in a Week 9 loss to the Giants. This was a cruel but fitting way for the quarterback to make his return to the NFL.
In 2018, Smith suffered a terrifying leg injury of his own. A compound fracture in his right leg caused potentially life-threatening infections. The fact that he's back playing in the league is a miracle in and of itself.
While he's obviously faced worse, Smith isn't taking this right calf injury lightly. The QB said the ailment "really affected" him during the team's 23-15 win over San Francisco.
If Smith is unable to make his return this weekend, Ron Rivera will be forced to start Dwayne Haskins at quarterback. After starting the first four games of the season, Haskins was benched in Week 5.
With or without Alex Smith, Washington will face off against Seattle on Sunday afternoon.
The post NFL Insider Offers Update On Washington QB Alex Smith appeared first on The Spun.