Checkpoint Charlie

Photo: A tourist looks [October, 24 2011. ] at a poster showing the standoff of Soviet and American tanks at Checkpoint Charlie." "The Allies airlifted supplies into Berlin, and the Soviets relented in May 1949. Berlin and the inner German border remained trip-wire points between the Soviets and Western forces for decades after.  In June 1948, the Soviets tried to force the Western Allies out of Berlin by imposing a land blockade. Checkpoint Charlie (or "Checkpoint C") was one of the most … [Read more...]

Istanbul is the most popular tourist destination in Europe

"Woody Allen, like so many Americans, finally succumbed to Europe’s charms, directing tributes to London, Barcelona, Paris and now, "To Rome with Love." But maybe Allen should have looked elsewhere — Europe’s most-visited attraction won’t be found among those storied cities. It’s in Istanbul, where 15 million people swarm the Grand Bazaar annually."  MSNBC WIKIPEDIA: Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey forming a cultural, historical heart. With a population of 13.5 million, the city is at … [Read more...]

Pepper, Piper nigrum

Pepper is a strong spice that comes in many different varieties of pepper from entirely different plants. Text translated with Google Translate thus grammatical errors. Black pepper, white pepper and green pepper Pepper comes from the pepper plant (Piper nigrum), while pimento, pink pepper and Sichuan pepper from trees that are completely unrelated to each other and with the pepper plant. Pepper, also known as chili pepper, comes from plants that are related to tomatoes and potatoes. Mild … [Read more...]