The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[Figgy1]

Setting up a gofundme for Figgy’s peppers for a traditional Italian NYE.

If I was doing the usual NYE for the family/friends there would be sausage and peppers, meatballs, baked ziti, a hot antipasto platter, a cold antipasto platter, gf bread, bread from Calandra's, cookies and an assortment of chips and dip It's just going to be us this year so easy is the name of the game

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Lord, whatever the nerves in my right foot are doing right now is holy heck. Waiting with a heating pad for the Gabapentin to kick in.

 

[donaldtoo]

Could feed from different substations. Our DD’s is like that. She will have power but the relatives down the road will be off.

Confirmed that a transformer blew. The neighbors, starting from about halfway down the street to the other end, heard it and came outside (sure, run towards the potential danger…!!!!! ).
We’re at the other end (dead end) of the street, so heard nothing from inside our house when it went.
Were without power for about 4hrs. and 40 mins. Never opened the fridge or freezer door, so should be good in that regard, as the temps in the house were also quite a bit cool.
And yes, it was all of our street, and about half of a connecting street, and no more.
When I went on my TSSFFBR, the clerk at the corner store said their power flickered a bit, but, that was it.
Such excitement…!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

We made some revisions to the NYE menu. Nachos are out, buffalo wings and sausage cheese meatballs are in. Both sausage and chicken wings were on sale plus digital coupon this morning. I only got enough wings for NYE but I may have cornered the sausage market. Apologies for causing the national shortage

It’s a good thing that your guys and myself and 2 younger bros weren’t born into the same generation…good grief, the humanity…!!!!!!!

 

[Cesar R M]

Panama Canal 2022 Trip Report P8


After getting on the mini van, we meet our driver and tour guide and we went on our way to the LA POPA hill.
They shared the story of the place, including some very interesting myths and tales about the place.
Like claiming that a Christian ordained had someone "guide him" to the hill where he found some Africans performing a dark and foul ritual with a gold goat.
He channelled god and expelled the devil and threw the effigy down one of the sides of the mountain and built a small convent next.
Then a much larger one next.

The convent itself also was under siege once with a small gun battery on top of it for a few.
And the famous tale of a random cannon ball from the Castillo of San Felipe almost hit the famous figure of Simon Bolivar.

One thing for sure is that on the convent, the view is breathtaking of almost 360 degrees.

Note the City is like Miami, with a very large skyline full of tall towers.

And turns out that the order that built the place returned a century ago after they were expelled by "communists".

There was also a time where the convent was falling in disrepair due to abandonment and the subsequent invasion of random people who claimed the place as "theirs". They of course were expelled and the place was restored and had renovations to restore what it was.
Including saving the frescos and some art.




Different popes visited the place when it was restored. Also that they dismantled the old gold coated retable and moved it to the convent.
And that there are special holidays where groups visitors moving huge figures from the bottom to the top to "visit" the area and praise religiously as they go up with dances and chants.

Not my photo:





The view also showcases the division of population inside Cartagena, where certain areas are very posh and full of luxury apartment buildings.
Other side is so poor that no building taller than 2 floors have been built. Where you can see Shakira's "pies descalsos" foundation building.




Next we got down to visit the Castillo de San Felipe, where it was packed with people.
Apparently its unusual to have 4 cruise ships at same time while there were a few large conventions downtown.

Not to mention tons of salesmen.

Anyway, the tour operator got our tickets and onwards we went.

Interestingly about this fort is.. Its "empty" side (aka the one with no fortifications) was facing the old casco viejo (the old wallet city). And its strong side faced the La Popa.
Aka it was designed to defend attacks from land, while smaller forts defend the bay against sea attacks.
And this design means that if the fort was taken, it would be blown with dynamite stored underground. And if that didn't happen... it could be very difficult to be held since they would be pelted from the city's cannons from the uncovered area.

There was an story where a spanish captain who lacked one leg, one eye and one hand, defeated a monstrously large British fleet with more than 100 ships in an heroic siege lasting months.

And how the fort was only taken once.. before disease and illnesses drove them out.

The fort was very well designed, with specified ports to allow birds to live, so in case someone tried to climb.. the birds would get spook and fly, alerting the guards.
And also multiple walkways with short tunnels to force tall soldiers (from England, Holland, etc..) to bend down and make them very vulnerable to melee weapons.
They even had a fake small wall that covered a small zone, which when climbled would lead the enemy forces into an ambush with firearms and canon fire from top on a near walls.


Also, like all forts, they took centuries to be built.

With sections built next to the other with some clever designs.
For example. Cartagena has not many water sources nearby, so they built the fort with holes and special inclinations to move the water towards some giant reservoirs.



The fort was built mostly with coral material mixed with other stuff, like bricks. Coral is extremely strong. While almost everything looks like it had some damage of time. The coral looks still there.

Also the mountain side area had holes to let water sweep out of it, if not.. thanks to the high rains, the mountain could literally explode.
pushing the tocks and coral outside for the pressure of the water.





Here is a photo of the oldest part of the fort. That was built first.




After this, we went down to get back to the van and head downtown. Which was a nightmare as it only had a few roads of single traffic lanes and everything is super narrow.

Continued in Part 10.

 

[donaldtoo]

Lord, whatever the nerves in my right foot are doing right now is holy heck. Waiting with a heating pad for the Gabapentin to kick in.

Had to Google, hope your foot feels better, soon…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

OK, was goin’ back through our recent DCL cruise pics, and found this silly-fun one of Emmy from the sail away/sail awave party…!!!!!!!

 

[Figgy1]

Lord, whatever the nerves in my right foot are doing right now is holy heck. Waiting with a heating pad for the Gabapentin to kick in.

I hope your meds kick in soon. Do you know what's causing the issue as that doesn't sound fun at all. Good luck and

 

[Figgy1]

Panama Canal 2022 Trip Report P8


After getting on the mini van, we meet our driver and tour guide and we went on our way to the LA POPA hill.
They shared the story of the place, including some very interesting myths and tales about the place.
Like claiming that a Christian ordained had someone "guide him" to the hill where he found some Africans performing a dark and foul ritual with a gold goat.
He channelled god and expelled the devil and threw the effigy down one of the sides of the mountain and built a small convent next.
Then a much larger one next.

The convent itself also was under siege once with a small gun battery on top of it for a few.
And the famous tale of a random cannon ball from the Castillo of San Felipe almost hit the famous figure of Simon Bolivar.

One thing for sure is that on the convent, the view is breathtaking of almost 360 degrees.
View attachment 687977
Note the City is like Miami, with a very large skyline full of tall towers.

And turns out that the order that built the place returned a century ago after they were expelled by "communists".

There was also a time where the convent was falling in disrepair due to abandonment and the subsequent invasion of random people who claimed the place as "theirs". They of course were expelled and the place was restored and had renovations to restore what it was.
Including saving the frescos and some art.

View attachment 687979

View attachment 687980
Different popes visited the place when it was restored. Also that they dismantled the old gold coated retable and moved it to the convent.
And that there are special holidays where groups visitors moving huge figures from the bottom to the top to "visit" the area and praise religiously as they go up with dances and chants.

Not my photo:

View attachment 687982

View attachment 687978

The view also showcases the division of population inside Cartagena, where certain areas are very posh and full of luxury apartment buildings.
Other side is so poor that no building taller than 2 floors have been built. Where you can see Shakira's "pies descalsos" foundation building.


View attachment 687983

Next we got down to visit the Castillo de San Felipe, where it was packed with people.
Apparently its unusual to have 4 cruise ships at same time while there were a few large conventions downtown.

Not to mention tons of salesmen.

Anyway, the tour operator got our tickets and onwards we went.

Interestingly about this fort is.. Its "empty" side (aka the one with no fortifications) was facing the old casco viejo (the old wallet city). And its strong side faced the La Popa.
Aka it was designed to defend attacks from land, while smaller forts defend the bay against sea attacks.
And this design means that if the fort was taken, it would be blown with dynamite stored underground. And if that didn't happen... it could be very difficult to be held since they would be pelted from the city's cannons from the uncovered area.

There was an story where a spanish captain who lacked one leg, one eye and one hand, defeated a monstrously large British fleet with more than 100 ships in an heroic siege lasting months.

And how the fort was only taken once.. before disease and illnesses drove them out.

The fort was very well designed, with specified ports to allow birds to live, so in case someone tried to climb.. the birds would get spook and fly, alerting the guards.
And also multiple walkways with short tunnels to force tall soldiers (from England, Holland, etc..) to bend down and make them very vulnerable to melee weapons.
They even had a fake small wall that covered a small zone, which when climbled would lead the enemy forces into an ambush with firearms and canon fire from top on a near walls.

View attachment 687985
Also, like all forts, they took centuries to be built.

With sections built next to the other with some clever designs.
For example. Cartagena has not many water sources nearby, so they built the fort with holes and special inclinations to move the water towards some giant reservoirs.

View attachment 687986

The fort was built mostly with coral material mixed with other stuff, like bricks. Coral is extremely strong. While almost everything looks like it had some damage of time. The coral looks still there.

Also the mountain side area had holes to let water sweep out of it, if not.. thanks to the high rains, the mountain could literally explode.
pushing the tocks and coral outside for the pressure of the water.

View attachment 687984



Here is a photo of the oldest part of the fort. That was built first.


View attachment 687991

After this, we went down to get back to the van and head downtown. Which was a nightmare as it only had a few roads of single traffic lanes and everything is super narrow.

Continued in Part 10.

Thank you for sharing all the very interesting history and your amazing pics. Thank you

 

[MinnieM123]

Confirmed that a transformer blew. The neighbors, starting from about halfway down the street to the other end, heard it and came outside (sure, run towards the potential danger…!!!!! ).
We’re at the other end (dead end) of the street, so heard nothing from inside our house when it went.
Were without power for about 4hrs. and 40 mins. Never opened the fridge or freezer door, so should be good in that regard, as the temps in the house were also quite a bit cool.
And yes, it was all of our street, and about half of a connecting street, and no more.
When I went on my TSSFFBR, the clerk at the corner store said their power flickered a bit, but, that was it.
Such excitement…!!!!!

Glad to hear your power came back on last night. Few years ago, we had the same thing -- a transformer blew (so half the street was connected to that one, and the other half was not). Our place was dark, and the house next to us had all their lights on. (By the way, when the transformer blew, it was LOUD! )

One of the neighbors talked to the repairman, and (if I correctly understood this), the newer transformers were not the quality of the older ones. (Older ones were made with copper insulation and newer ones had a cheaper material.)

 

[Figgy1]

 

[Figgy1]

5 days until the New Year

 

[Figgy1]

 

[Figgy1]

 

[MinnieM123]

Panama Canal 2022 Trip Report P8


After getting on the mini van, we meet our driver and tour guide and we went on our way to the LA POPA hill.
They shared the story of the place, including some very interesting myths and tales about the place.
Like claiming that a Christian ordained had someone "guide him" to the hill where he found some Africans performing a dark and foul ritual with a gold goat.
He channelled god and expelled the devil and threw the effigy down one of the sides of the mountain and built a small convent next.
Then a much larger one next.

The convent itself also was under siege once with a small gun battery on top of it for a few.
And the famous tale of a random cannon ball from the Castillo of San Felipe almost hit the famous figure of Simon Bolivar.

One thing for sure is that on the convent, the view is breathtaking of almost 360 degrees.
View attachment 687977
Note the City is like Miami, with a very large skyline full of tall towers.

And turns out that the order that built the place returned a century ago after they were expelled by "communists".

There was also a time where the convent was falling in disrepair due to abandonment and the subsequent invasion of random people who claimed the place as "theirs". They of course were expelled and the place was restored and had renovations to restore what it was.
Including saving the frescos and some art.

View attachment 687979

View attachment 687980
Different popes visited the place when it was restored. Also that they dismantled the old gold coated retable and moved it to the convent.
And that there are special holidays where groups visitors moving huge figures from the bottom to the top to "visit" the area and praise religiously as they go up with dances and chants.

Not my photo:

View attachment 687982

View attachment 687978

The view also showcases the division of population inside Cartagena, where certain areas are very posh and full of luxury apartment buildings.
Other side is so poor that no building taller than 2 floors have been built. Where you can see Shakira's "pies descalsos" foundation building.


View attachment 687983

Next we got down to visit the Castillo de San Felipe, where it was packed with people.
Apparently its unusual to have 4 cruise ships at same time while there were a few large conventions downtown.

Not to mention tons of salesmen.

Anyway, the tour operator got our tickets and onwards we went.

Interestingly about this fort is.. Its "empty" side (aka the one with no fortifications) was facing the old casco viejo (the old wallet city). And its strong side faced the La Popa.
Aka it was designed to defend attacks from land, while smaller forts defend the bay against sea attacks.
And this design means that if the fort was taken, it would be blown with dynamite stored underground. And if that didn't happen... it could be very difficult to be held since they would be pelted from the city's cannons from the uncovered area.

There was an story where a spanish captain who lacked one leg, one eye and one hand, defeated a monstrously large British fleet with more than 100 ships in an heroic siege lasting months.

And how the fort was only taken once.. before disease and illnesses drove them out.

The fort was very well designed, with specified ports to allow birds to live, so in case someone tried to climb.. the birds would get spook and fly, alerting the guards.
And also multiple walkways with short tunnels to force tall soldiers (from England, Holland, etc..) to bend down and make them very vulnerable to melee weapons.
They even had a fake small wall that covered a small zone, which when climbled would lead the enemy forces into an ambush with firearms and canon fire from top on a near walls.

View attachment 687985
Also, like all forts, they took centuries to be built.

With sections built next to the other with some clever designs.
For example. Cartagena has not many water sources nearby, so they built the fort with holes and special inclinations to move the water towards some giant reservoirs.

View attachment 687986

The fort was built mostly with coral material mixed with other stuff, like bricks. Coral is extremely strong. While almost everything looks like it had some damage of time. The coral looks still there.

Also the mountain side area had holes to let water sweep out of it, if not.. thanks to the high rains, the mountain could literally explode.
pushing the tocks and coral outside for the pressure of the water.

View attachment 687984



Here is a photo of the oldest part of the fort. That was built first.


View attachment 687991

After this, we went down to get back to the van and head downtown. Which was a nightmare as it only had a few roads of single traffic lanes and everything is super narrow.

Continued in Part 10.

Wow, Cesar -- you always visit such fascinating places, and it's great that you share your photos and experiences with us. All of it is interesting, and I think my favorite photo of this group was the interior photo of the altar -- so ornate.

 

[Figgy1]

 

[Figgy1]

 

[Figgy1]

 

[Figgy1]

 

[Figgy1]