My Costa Blanca Info Virtual magazine available at www.mycostablanca.info
Christmas 2008
Articles: Let Your Diet Have a Merry Christmas Too! Dakar 2009 Travel - Zaragoza Plus much more...
Plus: What’s On? Flash Fiction Computer Help Matt & Maynerd Puzzles
We would like to wish a Merry Christmas to our clients old and new
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CONTENTS
2
Matt & Maynerd
3
Boxing Day Sudoku
3
Santa is a Woman!
4
Recipes - Let Your Diet Have a Merry Christmas Too!
5
A Parent’s Night Before Christmas
6
How to Cater for your Veggie Guest this Christmas
7
The Graces Doing Their Bit for Operation Poppy Drop
8
Help Desk - Alien Technologies
10
What’s On?
11
Flash Fiction
12
Dakar 2009
13
Flash Fiction - Christmas Health
14
Travel - Zaragoza
15
Sudoku & Crossword Solution
15
Santa is a Man!
16
Christmas Wordsearch
H R Services Moraira SL Property Consultants Passport Renewal NIE/Residencia Translations
Conveyancing Wills Inheritance Tax
We do the hard work so you don’t have to Please note: Advertisements and articles contained in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinions or recommendations of the publishers. We are therefore unable to accept any liability either actual or implied for it’s content or advertisers.
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Santa Is A Woman
I can accept the fact that other mythical characters are men......... - Father Time shows up once a year unshaven and looking ominous. - Cupid flies around carrying weapons. - Uncle Sam is a politician who likes to point fingers. Any one of these individuals could pass the testosterone screening test. But not St. Nick. Not a chance. However, as long as we have a wonderful Christmas it probably makes little difference what gender Santa is, I just wish she'd stop dressing like a bloke!!!
I hate to be the one to defy sacred myth, but I believe he's a she. Think about it. Christmas is a big, organized, warm, fuzzy, nurturing social event, and I have a tough time believing a man could possibly pull it off! • Men don’t choose gifts until Christmas Eve • Men can’t pack a bag, let alone fit all the childrens’ presents in one sack! • The reindeer would have been hunted, shut and strapped to the back of the sleigh on it’s way to the taxidermist • He would never find his way to all the houses because once he got lost he would refuse to stop and ask for directions • A man would rather be dead than be caught wearing red velvet • Men aren’t interested in stockings unless somebody’s wearing them • Having to do the HO HO HO thing would seriously inhibit their ability to pick up women • He would feel obliged to point out the bricks that needed repointing in each and every chimney, or checking for carbon monoxide fumes in every gas fireplace
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Let your Diet Have a Merry Christmas too! Brandy Sauce using these recipes you can A Christmas dinner with turkey, roast potatoes, save yourself nearly 170 calories on dessert stuffing, bacon, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, alone! carrots, brussel sprouts and gravy contains around 620 calories and 25.8g fat and, if you're Christmas dinner is one of the most balanced a pudding lover, your portion of Christmas pud meals you can have. Turkey is low in fat and and brandy butter will set you back another potatoes are rich in B vitamins. You will have 516 calories and 31g fat. Top it all off with a notched up two or three servings of veggies couple of glasses of wine and you have a (out of the five a day you need) and if that isn't enough, your glass of red wine is another good grand total of 1306 calories and 56.8g fat. Christmas Day is a testing time, especially source of antioxidant nutrients, which help if you are on a diet but by following these protect against the risk of heart disease. simple tips you can enjoy your meal and Go forth and enjoy! watch your waistline at the same time. • A portion of roast turkey with Low Fat Brandy Sauce skin has 5.8g fat, by cutting Low Fat Christmas Pudding Serves 10 - 1 serving 280 Serves 8 - 1 serving 69 kcal/0.1g fat off the skin will you will make kcals/2.5g fat Ingredients a fat saving of 50%. 600ml (1pint) skimmed milk Ingredients • By saying no to a slice of 75g (3oz) currants 3 drops almond essence 2tbsps cornflour streaky bacon, you will save 75g (3oz) sultanas 115g (4oz) raisins Liquid artificial sweetener 84 calories and 6.7g fat. 3tbsps brandy • An average portion of 75g (3oz) cherries Method potatoes roasted in vegetable 75g (3oz) plain flour 1 tsp mixed spice Heat all but 4tbsps of milk together oil contains 9g fat whereas a ½ tsp ground cinnamon with the almond essence until potato roasted in Fry Light 50g (2oz) fresh breadcrumbs almost boiling. Remove from heat. 0% Fat Olive Oil Spray 50g (2oz) brown sugar Mix the cornflour and remaining contains just 0.4g fat. 2 tsps gravy browning cold milk thoroughly and slowly • You can save another couple grated zest of ½ lemon and orange pour into the hot milk, stirring continuously until the mixture of grams of fat by making 115g (4oz) grated apple begins to thicken. Return to the your bread sauce with 115g (4oz) grated carrot 4tbsp brandy, rum or beer heat and continue to cook, stirring skimmed or semi-skimmed 1tbsp lemon juice all the time. If the sauce is too thin, instead of whole milk. 4tbsps skimmed milk mix some more cornflour with cold • Go for larger servings of 2 eggs beaten milk and add it slowly until you brussel sprouts and carrots. 2 tbsp molasses or cane sugar achieve the consistency of custard. These are low in fat and high syrup Sweeten to taste. Add the brandy a in antioxidant nutrients. They 4 tbsps brandy or rum for reheating few drops at a time and stir well. Transfer to a serving jug. Cover and will fill you up and you won't Method Combine all the dry ingredients and keep warm until ready to serve. need to ask for seconds. This recipe appears in the By following the above wet ingredients in 2 separate bowls. Mix together, adding the beaten fat/calorie-saving tips your egg, until all the ingredients are well Rosemary Conley Countdown to Christmas book. meal should only contain combined. around 446 calories and 6g fat. Pour the mixture into a 1 litre (2lb) Not bad, but now for dessert? pudding basin or glass bowl and • If you go for custard made cover with aluminium foil if with semi-skimmed milk steaming or an upturned plate if instead of brandy cream or microwaving. butter, you would be looking Place in a steamer, cover and cook for 3 hours or microwave on high at almost a 50% reduction in power for 5 minutes, leave to stand the fat content (16.3g) and a for 5 minutes, then microwave for a total calorie count of 448 further 5 minutes. • or if you make your To reheat drizzle with brandy/rum Christmas pudding and steam for 2 hours or microwave for
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10 minutes.
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A Parent’s Night Before Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse. Instructions were studied and we were inspired, In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required." The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds, While Dad and I faced the evening with dread: A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot! And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot! We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat.... Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete! Too late for last-minute returns or replacement; If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement! When what to my worrying eyes should appear, But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear, With each part numbered and every slot named, So if we failed, only we could be blamed. More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out, All over the carpet, they scattered about. "Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there! Slide on the seats, and staple the stair! Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand." "Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand." And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night With "assembly required" till morning's first light. We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work, Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt. The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin Before we attached the last rod and pin. Then laying the tools away in the chest, We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest. But I said to my husband just before I passed out, "This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt. Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring, And not have to run to the store for a thing!
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We did it! We did it! The toys are all set For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!" Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went, Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded... I had forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!
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How to Cater for your Vegetarian Guest this Christmas 1. Talk to your guest in advance First, find out whether your guest is a vegetarian or a vegan. Vegetarians don't eat meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish, crustacea or any other product which has been made from slaughtering an animal. They also tend to use free-range eggs. Vegans go a bit further by also cutting out milk, dairy products, eggs and honey. Alo remember that vegetarians and vegans, like anybody else, may have food allergies or things that they just don't like so check first before spending 8 hours cooking something special that they just won’t/can’t eat. 2. Read the labels If you're not used to shopping for vegetarians, the main things to watch out for are animal fat, gelatine (which turns up in lots of desserts) and animal rennet (which can be used in cheese). Make sure you choose the one with a label indicating that it is suitable for vegetarians. Christmas pudding and mincemeat traditionally contain suet, which is a form of animal fat, but many brands now use a vegetable version which tastes just as good. 3. Make plenty Whatever you decide to prepare for your veggie guest, allow for a couple of extra portions because the meat-eaters almost always want to try 'just a little'‌ 4. Unfamiliar ingredients If you have difficulty getting hold of the ingredients you find in your chosen veggie
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recipes, try your local health food shop. They will probably also have a good supply of nuts and dried fruit for everyone to enjoy and can usually be relied upon for extra advice. 5. Keep it separate If you're having a traditional Christmas dinner, your veggie guests will probably enjoy sharing the roast potatoes, veg and gravy, so cook them in vegetable oil, separately from the meat. Vegetarian gravy granules and mixes are readily available in supermarkets and the majority of stuffing mixes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, so look out for one that mentions this on the packet. 6. Ready-made options If you don't want to cook a separate dish, you shouldn't have any trouble picking up a nut roast or other ready-made festive option from the supermarket or health food store. Just bear in mind that some vegetarians love meat substitutes, but others don't enjoy food that looks and tastes like meat - check first to avoid an unhappy guest. 7. Washing it all down Beers and wines are often refined or clarified with animal products. This process stops the drink from becoming cloudy and because the animal products are not an actual ingredient, they don't have to be mentioned on the label. Your local wine merchant or off-licence should also know which of their products are suitable for vegetarians
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The Graces Doing their bit for Operation Poppy Drop When Cath Parsons visited her local salon, The Graces Hair & Beauty in Jalon, and mentioned that her husband Chris, an ex serviceman, would be attempting the first ever parachute jump over Mount Everest in aid of the Royal British Legion, Lou Edwards, the salon owner, looked for a way of sponsoring the event. As the wife of an ex Royal Navy Petty Officer she appreciates the stirling work that the Legion does and wanted to give it all the help she could. Keith, who retired from the navy after 24 years, was no stranger to the world of hair dressing as during his career he was at times the self appointed barber onboard ship in his spare time. So Lou finally persuaded him to become more involved with the salon and attend a recognised training program in the UK in Gent’s hairdressing. He even managed to add some new styles to his repertoire other than the “High & Tight” cut. In order to gain more experience and for his own self assessment (and Lou’s) he decided to do free haircuts for a month or so, with clients making a voluntary contribution to the Royal British Legion collection pot in lieu of payment. This was a real success and the Salon raised over €100 for the Legion through Chris Parsons and his Everest Sky dive named Operation Poppy Drop. For more details see www.poppydrop.com as detailed in the April edition of this magazine.
Keith `Edward scissor hands´ would like to thank all the gents who kindly donated to the collection pot. In addition to Keith becoming part of the hair cutting team, The Graces Hair & Beauty have recently gained a new stylist, Melanie, who is fully qualified and has over 16 years experience. Rebecca, their Beauty Therapist, is also being sponsored by The Graces to become a fully qualified stylist. She is due to complete her NVQ in June 2009. The Graces Hair & Beauty, which is situated in the corner of the Las Ocas Plaza still has some christmas appointments remaining for hair and beauty treatments, call 96 648 0932 to book your appointment.
Back row, left to right: Lou, Rebecca and Melanie Keith in pride of place at the front
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Holiday Help Desk As you start to deck the halls with boughs of holly you might want to turn your thoughts to your computer. We have tried and reviewed a few free Christmas programs for you to download from www.download.com and enjoy. They have all been tested and found to be spyware/virus free. Christmas Bound 1.0 The Bugs have stolen all the Christmas parcels from Santa Claus. Yello the little bouncing tennis ball tries to bring them back. This addictive game has elements of Arkanoid (the brick busting game), but combined with puzzle solving and more hands on arcade action. Christmas Bound requires both dexterity and logical thinking. Your mission is to explore the Bugs' realm and find all the Christmas gifts, which are hidden in 32 rooms throughout the land. It is addictive and fun with some catchy Christmas tunes and bright colors that attract your attention and helps make the gameplay more fun. Chicken Invaders 2 Christmas Edition 2.60 This is quite a nice 3D version of space invaders but with chickens. It is only a demo but is quite good fun for a little while. Nice christmas themes with the chickens firing (laying) baubles and when they are killed you receive presents giving you different weapons, pine cones which is food and stars for extra points. Christmas Crisis 1.0 Santa has fallen sick this winter holiday! Ms. Claus has been cooking some of her most powerful chicken soup, but even that's not powerful enough to cure Santa from his perilous cold! He won't be able to make his first deliveries until much later than usual -- but that is TOO late to deliver ALL of the presents! You and other elves have been chosen to help make up for Santa's missed time! Fly over cities and drop presents down chimneys. Maintain a 70% success rate to save Christmas! Watch out for planes - you don't want to crash! Christmas SuperFrog 1.9.1 Santa's sleigh has broken down, scattering his gifts all around the town! Now it is up to you to recover all the missing presents before Christmas arrives. Recapture memories of playing arcade games as a child, enjoy a rainy day, or just have a little Christmas fun. Chris Alderton
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What’s On - December 2008 JALON Sunday 7th December FREE GUIDED WALK/TREK ROUTE Xaló: Serra de Bèrnia (PR-V7) PLACES OF INTEREST • Font de Bèrnia (spring) • Forat (natural tunnel) • Fort de Bèrnia (fortress ruins) • Font del Fort (spring) Time approx.: 3.5 hours Distance: 8 km Degree of difficulty: Moderate to strenuous TIME & PLACE 9:00h in Xaló village square Please bring your own vehicle, water and snack. Wear comfortable clothes and walking/ sports shoes, not forgetting sun protection
PEDREGUER Sunday 21st December : 8pm MONTGO CHORALE CHRISTMAS CONCERT at the Iglesia de la Santa Cruz, Pedreguer After the success of The Montgo Chorale inaugural concerts in June, the choir are pleased to be performing “An Evening of Christmas Carols” to which they invite everyone to come along and sing some of the best loved carols. Admission is by programme for which they ask 8 euros, children will be admitted free of charge. Programmes are available from Humpty Dumpty (Javea), Libreria Europa (Calpe) Jays of Jalon and Kelly’s (La Xara) or telephone Peter 96 646 2944 or Christine 96 648 0880 to arrange to collect programmes at the door. All profits will go to the centre for the elderly and alzheimer sufferers in Javea.
ORBA Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th December Annual Christmas Fair. You will find stalls in Avenida Americas and Calle Mayor displaying TEULADA and selling a great many Christmas and gift From 3rd to 12th December items. Tango and salsa merengue lessons. In the Assembly Room of the Teulada Casa Cultura. Tuesday 9th of December CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT Place: Casa Cultura Teulada Time: 19.30h Entrance: 3 € To book your tickets call 96 583 1575 Saturday 13th of December Final Dance of the tango and merengue lessons: " A night in Buenos Aires" Voluntary participation of the students Place: Assembly room in the Culture House in Teulada. Time: 20.30h Proceeds to go to the Alzheimer Day Care Centre in Teulada
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RESTAURANT FRIDAY NIGHTS - FISH & CHIPS 5.30-9PM SUNDAY ALL DAY CARVERY €7.95 INCL DESSERT AUCTION 2PM EVERY SATURDAY ANY ITEMS TO BE SOLD SHOULD BE HERE AN HOUR BEFORE We are on the Calpe to Moraira coast road 2km from Calpe, 150m past La Fustera Supermarket, turn left after the Asia House
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TEULADA CONTINUED Sunday 14th December CHRISTMAS MARKET Time: From 9.00 to 19.00 hrs. Place: Plaza Constitución y Avda. Santa Catalina. RYTHMICAL GYMNASTICS DISPLAY P l ac e: Te ul ad a´ s Spo r ts C en t re . Time: 6 pm For further information about any of the Teulada activities please call the Teulada Tourist Information Office on 96 574 5168
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TOY DRIVE IN AID OF EMAUS CHILDREN’S HOMES Christmas is a time of loving and giving, of spending time with your family and friends. But what if you are a child and your parents cannot care for you. How sad it is to be a child alone at Christmas with no family Christmas mornings or parties to look forward to. The EMAUS Association try their best to make the children in their care as happy as possible at Christmas. If you can, please buy a spare gift this year for a child aged between 6 and 18 years and make Christmas Day something special for one of these children. The drop off points are: The Pine Centre in Gata Fiesta Crafts in Javea Heaven Hair and Beauty in Benitachell Margaret and Elena’s book shop, Calpe The Boulevard Café, Calpe Los Arcos EMAUS offices in Altea (opposite the old local Police Station) On behalf of the Children of EMAUS we would like to thank you for your support and wish you a wonderful and joyful Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year.
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DAKAR 2009 After the murder of four French citizens and three Mauritanian soldiers, terrorist threats on the rally itself and on the recommendation of the French Ministry, the 2008 Dakar Rally was cancelled. The competitors that were gathered in Lisbon for scrutineering were shocked but saluted the responsible decision of the organisers. Three weeks later (Friday the 1st of February) a terror attack in the heart of Nouakchott confirmed the judiciousness of this difficult decision. The cancellation caused serious doubts over the future of the rally. Various newspapers in Africa called the cancellation a "death sentence" for the race. Chile and Argentina, in South America, offered their territory to host the next event. After more than 100 days of reconnaissance, the sporting team set a course through South America and started accepting applications for the Dakar 2009 as it goes to discover a new continent.
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The round trip to Buenos Aires, via Valparaiso is a challenge in which the most enduring competitors will find their way and have the opportunity to distinguish themselves. With over 9500km including 5650km of special stages scattered throughout the course, the battle for the title will remain wide open until the finish. Dunes, fresh sand, limitless roads, mountains … all the ingredients will be there to remind competitors that their return to Buenos Aires on January 17 will have been hard won. On the morning of January 3rd, 530 teams will take off from Buenos Aires: 230 motorbikes, 30 quads, 188 cars and 82 trucks, representing 49 nationalities. The figures for this Dakar are amazing. In addition, the elite of worldwide rally-raiding will meet to fight it out. Mitsubishi’s title will be up for grabs against their major rivals at Volkswagen, BMW and Team Gordon. In T2, we will find Toyota and Nissan looking for a highly coveted victory. On the two-wheeler side, KTM will turn out in force to maintain its domination. All the best truck teams will be there too: Kamaz, Tatra, Hino, Mercedes, Ginaf, and the title-holder Mann will vie for first place. The plains of Patagonia, the Atacama Desert and the passageway through the Andes Mountains – all in the heat of the austral summer – will provide an ideal setting for testing the endurance of the pilots committed to Dakar 2009. The enthusiasm emanating from the Dakar 2009 contestants finds an even greater echo in the Argentinians and Chileans, who show exceptional eagerness for the rally. By crossing the ocean, the rally is ready for an experience that is true to its values and temperament. 100% Dakar : it is the quality of the challenge offered to the competitors with one idea always in mind: human adventure, extreme adventure. As always there will be worldwide TV coverage for the 2009 Dakar including Eurosport, Teledeporte, TVE1 and TVE2 For more information see www.dakar.com
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Flash Fiction - Christmas Health For Christmas last year my wife bought me a week of private lessons at the local gym. Though still in great shape from when I was on the university chess team, I decided it was a good idea to go ahead and try it. I called and made reservations with someone named Tanya, who said she was a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and athletic clothing model. My wife seemed very pleased with how enthusiastic I was to get started. Tanya suggested I keep an "exercise diary" to chart my progress. Day 1. Tanya was waiting for me at the gym when I arrived. She's something of a goddess, with blond hair and a dazzling white smile. She showed me the machines and took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. She seemed a little alarmed that it was so high, but I think just standing next to her in that outfit of hers added ten points. Enjoyed watching the aerobics class. Tanya was very encouraging as I did my sit ups, though my stomach was already aching a little from holding it in the whole time I was talking to her. This is going to be GREAT! Day 2. Took a whole pot of coffee to get me out the door, but I made it. Tanya had me lie on my back and push this heavy iron bar up into the air, then she put weights on it! Legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill. I made it the full mile and her smile made it worth while. Day 3. The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I am certain that I have developed a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer. Tanya was a little impatient with me and said my screaming was bothering the other gym members. Tanya told me regular exercise would make me live longer, I can't imagine anything worse. Day 4. Tanya was waiting for me with her vampire teeth in a full snarl. I can't help it if I was half an hour late, it took me that long just to tie my shoes. She wanted me to lift dumbbells. Not a chance, Tanya. The word "dumb" must be in there for a reason. I hid in the men's room until she sent Lars looking for me. As punishment she made me try the rowing machine. It sank. Day 5. I hate Tanya more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. If there was any part of my body not in extreme pain I would hit her with it. The treadmill threw me back into a science teacher, which hurt like crazy. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like a music or religion teacher? Day 6. Got Tanya's message on my answering machine wondering where I was. I lacked the strength to use the TV remote so I watched eleven straight hours of the weather channel. Day 7. Well, that's the week. Thank goodness it's over. Maybe next time my wife will give me something a little more fun, like a gift certificate for a the local dentist!
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Travel - Zaragoza
Set almost equidistantly between Spain’s three big cities — Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia — Zaragoza is now reachable by the new AVE high-speed rail link. Romans, Moors, Jews and Christians all left their cultural legacy behind, waiting to be admired to this day. The city walls, churches, basilicas, palaces, stately houses and squares of the historic centre reflect the different civilisations that settled the city. Leave your watch behind and grab your camera. The best way to discover Zaragoza's monuments is to stroll through its streets. You will feel the wealth of its 2,000 year history by starting the day in Plaza del Pilar, alongside the Ebro River. Here you will find three of the city's emblematic buildings: The Pilar Basilica, church and universal symbol of Zaragoza; La Lonja Palace, the region of Aragon's most important 16th century civil building, venue for many exhibitions throughout the year; San Salvador Cathedral ("La Seo"), Aragon's most valuable and significant monument, where you will find medieval artistic styles reflected, along with Renaissance and Baroque elements. Be sure to look at the exterior wall of the Parroquieta Chapel it is the pinnacle of Mudejar architecture. Before lunch, head for the Caesaraugusta Theatre Museum, just a few minutes walk away. See what the Roman city's most popular monument was like. There are many witnesses to Zaragoza's imperial past to be seen - the city walls, the Forum, the River Port and the Public Baths, with their respective museums. To get your strength back, try sampling one of the regional gastronomic delicacies at one of the many restaurants in the city. After lunch you can get underway again, heading for Primo de Rivera park, the city's
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main recreation area and an open air museum. Stroll through its avenues and gardens, where you will find monuments like the one dedicated to Alfonso I the Warrior, as well as delightful spots such as the Botanical Garden. At mid-afternoon, Aljafería Palace awaits. Don’t miss this Moorish gem. It stands out as one of the finest examples of Muslim architecture in Spain outside of Andalusia. If you can't make it down to Granada or Seville, Zaragoza is the next best thing! It is the most important 11th century civil construction in the Islamic West, with stunning areas such as the Santa Isabel and San Martín patios, or the polychromed coffering of the Throne Room. To finish off the day, we would suggest that you head back to the centre of the city and visit the Patio de la Infanta, a 16th century architectural gem with various works by artist Francisco de Goya. Zaragoza was chosen as the home for Expo 2008 and Hadid’s Bridge Pavilion is what connects the city to the grounds of the Expo. This spectacular structure straddles the River Ebro, from which it takes its inspiration. As well as a footbridge, it also doubles as an indoor exhibition area and is likely to become a major landmark alongside Zaragoza’s other UNESCO Heritage hits. Expo 2008 also unveiled Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium, showcasing the world’s great rivers (say hello to Amazonian piranha, giant Nile crocodiles and Mekong snakes), as well as a 250-foot Water Tower (whose base is shaped like a water droplet). Zaragoza still has much more to see. This is why it is best to stay for two or three days if possible. Call in to any of the tourist information offices, they will help you plan your visit.
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Sudoku Solution
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96 573 3157 (Emergencies 639 604 269)
Santa Is A Man A retort to “Santa is a Woman” from Page 3 It is precisely because Christmas is an “organized, warm, fuzzy, nurturing social deal" that Santa has to be a man. Delegation... that's the key. Just imagine if a woman was trying to delegate all of those tasks and obligations to her underlings. Christmas would be as ambiguous as the spring equinox. Nobody would know what day of the year we were going to celebrate it on. • If Santa was female the toys would never get delivered. It would take until New Year’s Eve to get dressed (for the third time) and get out of the bathroom • She would never agree to wear the same outfit two years in a row let alone every year • She couldn’t harness those reindeer without breaking a nail • Once underway she would be too busy talking to all her friends on her mobile phone to make any stops at all • Everybody would get socks, ties, aftershave or fuzzy slippers. There would be no noise making, shoot-em-up, battery operated toys
that all the children love. Bicycles would all come complete with helmets, knee pads and stabilisers so that nobody could get hurt. • Women can’t back a bag – now six, no problem! • She couldn’t pass a window without checking her red clad behind and asking “does my bum look big in this?” The other figures mentioned are indeed, quite obviously male and I have no quarrel with their descriptions or the list of their attributes (except for Cupid. I think he may be a girl in boy's clothes... no self-respecting man would allow himself to shoot as badly as Cupid does sometimes...) I would however, like to apologize for Uncle Sam -- he's from my wife's side of the family. And St. Nick? All the Christmas songs like "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" say he’s a man. Tradition says that Santa Clause is a he. I say don’t mess with tradition!
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Christmas Wordsearch Advent Angel Baubles Bells Cards Carollers Carols Crib Cupid Dancer Dasher Donner Eggnog Elves Garland Gifts Holly Ivy Jesus Jolly Magi Manger Mary
Myrrh Noel Prancer Ribbon Sleigh Spruce
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Stable Star Stollen Tinsel Toys Turkey
Vixen Wise men Wrapping paper Xmas Answers on Page 15
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