The Mysterious Cities of Gold - Les Mystérieuses Cités d'or: Is coming back!!

I found a few French media sources that claim the return of  Les Mystérieuses Cités d'or or known in the States as The Mysterious Cities of Gold.  Appears a production company names Blue Spirit is handling the reigns.

I am thoroughly glad that the character designs and aesthetic of the original show is kept; though the production value has been vastly improved.  Gotta hand it to the French; an American production would most likely have "amped-it-up" or give it an "animated-look" a-la the WB.  Also I'm am happy to hear that this is not a reboot, but an actual continuation of the original series; taking off after the events at the end of the first series.

media:
http://alpha.heroshock.com/?p=25779#more-25779

Blue Spirit:
http://www.spirit-prod.com/site_bsa/

I grew up watching The Mysterious Cities of Gold on Nickelodeon with my brother in the mid-80's.  It was part of a group of Japanese-European produced cartoons that made their way stateside.  From the opening music and stylistic Mesoamerican themes, I remember this series fondly.  With an over-arching storyline you journeyed along with Esteban, an orphan and so destined "Child of the Sun", from Spain and overseas to the undiscovered land of the Americas.  Along the way he is befriended by would-be treasure and adventure seeking mercenaries, Mendoza and his bumbling sidekids, Pedro and Sancho.  He would also meet his most trusted friends, Zia, a daughter of a Incan priest, and Tao, the last survivor of the Mu empire.

When they're not running from the Spanish conquistador Pizarro and his men, their adventures lead them to  the discovery of wondrous temples and cities, new and different people,  and even sun powered machines made of gold.

Had a link to all the episodes on youtube, but looks like the videos have been removed since; here is a link to one of the other shows imported to the states via Nickelodeon we also watched,that was equally intriguing to me as a kid.

Le Monde Engloutis:

01 LES MONDES ENGLOUTIS by djoik

Childhood Dreams - Wars of Man

Ziv Koren's book 'More than 1000 Words

reddit user, jaclar, claims the locaion in the picture is "Eastern Prayer Road" in Herbron/West Bank.

"I know where this place is. It's the so called "Eastern Prayer Road" in Hebron/West Bank. The story behind this street is that it is used by the Israeli settlers which live in Kiryat Arba to go to to the Cave Of The Patriarchs during Shabat (each Saturday). During this time no Palestinian is allowed to step on the road to "avoid conflicts". The stone barrier where the kid is hiding behind serves the purpose to ensure this policy.Here is the same place from another perspective. As it seems the picture is already a couple of years old because the wall looks much newer. I don't think the soldiers are particular searching for the kid. They are mostly their on patrol 

but knowing Palestinian kids of this age they are usually horrified when Israeli soldiers approach

."

*note: The costume is not an Easter Bunny, but a costume worn for, Purim, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther).

1910 artists' depiction of the year 2000

Home Cooked Craving - Filipino Breakfast -

Woke up this morning with a craving for Filipino breakfast.  First off, I want to disclose I live a very veggie friendly/heavy diet.  7 days of the week  I eat heavily on greens and a variety of non-meat proteins.  Not quite vegetarian, but pretty much only eat meat if someone has gone out of there way to prepare it for me; not gonna turn a generous gesture down.  Plus, I think my Filipino DNA prevents me from going full vegetarian :P

So, to justify my cooking a meat dinner for myself, I took a walk to the local Filipino store to gather the main ingredients. Longganisa (a sweet, garlic-y, pork sausage), bitter-melon (a bitter melon :p), bagoong (tiny salted shrimp paste) and rice vinegar.  Also picked me up some shrimp crackers, coconut water, and Hawaiian sweet buns.

Hawaiian sweet bun; grew up with the plain, but these are honey wheat.  still tasty, but nothing beats the original.

Coconut water.  I find funny that the western market is totally just now jumping on this, selling small oz. containers for an arm and-a-leg.  Asian markets been selling 'em in large cans for a dollar or less since forever...

Oh, and shrimp chips (couldn't pass these up); def a thing you have to grow up with I think.  Found these ones spicy!!!

PINOY BREAKFAST -  My Attempt

I'm using a long grain rice which will be less sticky than what I'd rather, but is what I have on hand.

Gotta start by cleaning your rice like a good Filipino.  Rinse and drain 2-4 times to get rid of any dirt/dust and excess starch.

 Follow the water-line marker relative to the how many cups of rice you used; or me, the good-ol'-knuckle tip.  Barely touch the surface of the rice an fill slightly above first knuckle.

 Like the infomercial says: "Set it and forget it".

 Here dem tasty sausages, Longganisa.  If you know an old Filipino lady who makes these, talk to her.  Unfortuately on a whim, gotta suffice with the store bought, but still will hit the spot I'm sure :)

Give 'em a nice rinse and cut apart.

Drop in a pre-boiling pot and reduce to a healthy simmer and halfway cover to allow some evaporation.

Time to cut the bitter-melon.  Cut in half and gut the seed and middle pulp.  Cut into coins and half those.  Set aside.

 Smash and mince some garlic

After the water has reduced a bit drain, but leave a little of the juices left to evaporate out and let those puppies fry a bit to get that nice browning and glaze on the outside.

Next, drop the bitter-melon in with some oil and add the garlic a spoon full of bagoong and a splash of rice vinegar; let simmer and reduce, turning occasionally.

 On to the eggs.  Have to point out, these have to be hard fried the pinoy way.  relatively high heat and never flipping.  Gotta have the semi-soft yolk, but the crispy bottom and edging of the white part; just something about that contrast in texture, espcially with the rice...  mmm.

 Check the bitter-melon and set aside

Eggs should be done too.

 TA-DA!!

 Bon appetite 

 Also good to have a side of vinegar for dipping.

 Here's all the fixings together.  Nothing beats waking up at a cousin's house with an auntie cooking this in the morn.  Definitely something lost in my translation, especially in the bitter-melon recipe, but think I did a descent facsimile on the whole.

Well, I think that'll satisfy my meat craving for a while.  Next time I hope to break my streak at an actual family gathering; I will be going back for 4th's or more when that day comes.  Enjoy and hope this got you mouth watering.  Are there any dishes, cultural or not, that get you nostalgia bug in your gut going?  If so please comment and share your story.   

Rare glimpse into an illegal Iranian Rave

Posted by YouTuber DaBoing, this video shows a glimpse into the rave scene of Iranian youth.  Under government and religious law is considered illegal.  Regardless of clashing cultural or religious beliefs, I personally I find the conviction of the Iranian youth to seek expression and enjoyment thru "western" means inspiring.  Perhaps one day ideas and actions like these won't be thought of as "western", but rather the enjoyment of the human experience.

On a side note:  Though often times police are able to be bribed, it is often that the police are out on the look for such parties in search of said bribes.



http://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/12ispu/illegal_rave_party_in_iran/c6veqtl

Halloween/Dios de la Muerte 2012 - face paint