My silent International Friends

Greetings!

My blog has now had over 70,000 pageviews since around May, 2011.

I am amazed.

I am humbled.

I am very happy!

I still can't believe it, and check back almost daily to make sure

 I read those numbers right!

and they keep growing....

Today I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you that are interested

in what I might have to say. I truly am humbled.

Guess I better check spelling more carefully!

bottlecap magnet art by http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

graphics by revidevi, etsy

I would like to mention, and add some fun things in along the way,

all the different countries that visited my blog in the last 5 months.

Whew!

that's a big list, so I will have to split it up.

Yes, Michael,

I will not write a book.

I will not write a book.

I will not write a book.

I may not put these in exact alphabetical order,

so don't panic if your country doesn't come up next!

I'll get to you!

:0)

We covered BRAZIL yesterday.

Next we have the NETHERLANDS.

2 Dutch children. Use for embroidery, coloring pages, or paper dolls!

Here is a big THANKS to JAPAN.

C.1912

THE CZECH REPUBLIC!

I am getting ready to include the Czech Republic in a future blog,

so I have lots of lovely photos and info for you, at a later time.

The Czech and USA flag

Cesky Krumlov Czechoslovakia by Paul Gyer

Up next is TURKEY.

Thank you Turkey, for your support!

These are from a booklet of Middle Eastern Country Paper Dolls.

As you see, this includes many other nations also.

It includes another country that has followed me -

the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Here is a costume set from the above paper doll set:

To finish for today, let's give a big cheer for CANADA!

Canada, in Epcot, DisneyWorld, Florida, USA

Thanks!

Feel free to leave a comment, and NOT be a silent International Friend!!!

I have recently made a few new treasuries on etsy.

Check them out!

No Mom, I'm NOT wearing white shoes....after Labor Day!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc2MTA5M3w2ODU4MzM2Njk/no-mom-im-not-wearing-white-shoes?index=0

The softer side of Fall

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc2MTA5M3w2ODUzNTMwMzI/the-softer-side-of-fall?index=1

A Wood Fairy's Home

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc2MTA5M3w2Nzk3MTg1MTE/a-wood-fairys-home?index=2

Enjoy!

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Happy Independence Day to Brazil!

Hola!

(pronounced 'o-la', Spanish for Hello)

Christ over the City of Rio de Janeiro

Today is National Independence Day for Brazil.

feliz día de la independencia

I hope I got that right!

I went to a web site that will translate words and phrases from English into Spanish,

and Spanish into English.

You know, you never feel quite confident since you really don't speak the language.

That would be a wicked hacker thing though...

Brazil travel map

www.tropicalnaturetravel.com

I thought we might learn just a little about Brazil today.

The country is famous for it's spectacular waterfalls,

the Amazon River (largest in the world)

The Rio De Janeiro Carnival

the Brazilian Soccer Team

and it's beaches.

Cococabana Beach, Brazil

Following three centuries of rule under Portugal,

Brazil became an independent nation in 1822

and a republic in 1889.

One thing I learned in just browsing about Brazil -

soccer is big.

I mean REALLY BIG!!

Being a non-sports person, I kinda' knew that, but not really?

Now I know!

Brazil will be hosting the World Cup in 2016.

I bet the beaches will be crowded!

Here's a photo of the beach at Rio de Janeiro

without all the soccer fans!

c.1916

The Iguazu Falls are truly impressive. I would like to see them someday.

www.bestourism.com

Here are some interesting facts,

by Claudio Da Silva, July/2011 found at:

http://www.sherwoodinstitute.org/introducing-the-brazil-series/

Brazil holds 53% of the source of fresh water available in South America.

Brazil holds 11.6% of the fresh water surface of the world,

placing it among one of the world giants in terms of internal water.

Brazil has one of the biggest lakes of the planet - Lagoa dos Patos.

92% of households have accessibility to drinking water.

Even with great availability, there is a shortage of drinking water in some places.

Only 37% of households are connected to sewer collection pipelines.

the Amazon river

The rivers of Brazil are responsible for 51% of the water consumption in Brazil.

30 Million inhabitants (out of 150 million) do not receive treated water.

Mr. Da Silva continues:

Sewage is Brazil's #1 threat to itself, and also to the world's oceans.

92% of the Brazil's sewage is launched into rivers and into the sea

without any treatment.

I found this next bit just horrifying:

DAILY Brazil launches 10 billion liters of sewage directly into rives and sea.

Brazil has made some strides -

there is about 10% of the cities adopting some kind of sewage treatment.

wow.

Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil

www.carpediemeducation.org

Now for a few 'more fun' facts!

Sao Paulo is the largest city of Brazil,

and is the capital of the state of Sao Paulo.

This city is the seventh largest metro area in the world!!!

Guaraja Beach, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo is quite famous for the tallest buildings in Brazil,

Fashion events, such as Sao Paulo Fashion Week,

and is the most populous city in the Americas!!!

Math quiz - work it out!

Sao Paulo has an area 1,523 square kilometers

and an estimated population of about

11,037,593 people living in the city.

So, how many people is that per square kilometer?

After you figure it out, let me know!

:0)

a woman in Salvador

I like the city's "Motto of Sao Paulo":

"I am not led, I lead"

Cool!

another photo of Iguazu Falls

So, Happy Independence Day, Brazil!

frog, the Amazon

inkspired

www.inkspired.etsy.com

www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Friendlier Crowd

     Can you blame President Obama for visiting Brazil? Sure, he has legitimate business to conduct there, just as he has in virtually every country in the world, but when The Washington Post uses the word "swoon" in a headline to describe his welcome, and quotes people like one woman...

"He is a president the whole world likes, a black president,” she said. “I would give him a hug. I would tell him he is a good president.”

     Back home he's under constant, unrelenting criticism from the GOP and birthers and the tea party and the left of his own party....heck, he should consider establishing a (Really) Southern White House in Rio!