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Post by FreakyFlyBry on Jun 8, 2013 3:12:27 GMT -5
For such an obscure city... I've actually been there. Okay, I admit it was pretty much a stop on the way back home from South Dakota, and I spent just 1 night there, and I was just 9 years old... but I've actually been to Billings. To be honest, I don't remember much about what I saw there... I know I'd arrived on I-90 which gave me some good views of the mountains in the distance, especially along the stretch in Wyoming. However, the way back into Saskatchewan was really desolate! I know that I went to the Rimrock Mall there but don't remember what exactly was in there, I'm sure it's changed a lot since. I do remember staying at the Comfort Inn there (which was too new that it wasn't in the travel guides - it was tough in the pre-Internet days!), and that the Walmart there was still under construction as hard as that may be to believe!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2013 23:40:36 GMT -5
I'm impressed by how much you remember from a trip that took place when you were only 9 years old. I would imagine that I-90 is a great ride out there; I've seen photos of the stretch in Wisconsin and they live up to what you are talking about. I'd imagine that Walmart is a big deal nowadays, and that local business owners can't stand it. Travelling back then must have been SO different than it is now.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2013 3:04:35 GMT -5
June 9th, 2013 - Istanbul, TurkeyThe legendary Sultan Ahmed Mosque: Inside of the mosque: A look at just how modern Istanbul can be: Various street scenes from throughout the city: The Grand Bazaar, which has over 3,000 shops and attracts as many as 400,000 visitors in a single day: Hagia Sophia; once a church, it was turned into a mosque by order of Sultan Mehmet II when Constantinople fell under Ottoman rule in 1453. It today stands as a museum: The view inside: 7 Facts About Istanbul:1) It is home to a whopping 13.9 million residents. That currently ranks it as the 2nd most populous city on earth, only behind Shanghai, China. 2) It lies in both Europe and Asia. Many people consider this to be "where the east meets the west," and rightly so. 3) If you like history there is perhaps no better place to be! Istanbul was historically called Byzantium, and then Constantinople (the capital of the Byzantine Empire). In 1453, during the Byzantine's dying days, the city was taken by the Ottomans. It would serve as their capital until 1922, when The Ottoman Empire was finally abolished. 4) The city has a diverse cuisine shaped by its history. The street food scene is booming, as vendors serve locals and tourists alike late into the night. 5) It has the third oldest subway system in the world. It dates back to 1875. Only London and New York had subways before Istanbul. 6) Istanbul served as capital of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire and the Ottoman Empire...yet isn't the capital of modern-day Turkey. That honor goes to Ankara. 7) Pope Benedict XVI famously meditated inside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque back in 2006.
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Post by FreakyFlyBry on Jun 9, 2013 12:30:46 GMT -5
Istanbul (not Constantinople) would definitely be a fascinating city to visit, especially with all the history there.
The fact that it's in both Europe and Asia would certainly contribute to its unique culture, with a mix of both worlds.
Hagia Sophia's architecture is very stunning! It's quite amazing how such a historic city can also have a modern skyline as your third picture shows.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2013 2:17:00 GMT -5
June 10th, 2013 - Novosibirsk, RussiaI can't help but notice that crosswalk signs from Russia and Eastern Europe are creepy: The State Academia Opera and Ballet Theater: A look inside: Train station: A Soviet-era apartment block. I always feel the need to post such wonderful architecture: Not within city limits, but a beautiful view from the nearby countryside: 6 Facts About Novosibirsk:1) The city actually lies inside Siberia, proving that the region is not limited to desolate fields of snow. With a population of nearly 1.5 million, it is the largest city in Asian Russia and the third largest in all of Russia. 2) It has streets named after Galileo, Mozart, Newton and Shakespeare, among others. 3) It was formerly called Novonikolaevsk. Say that five times fast. 4) Novosibirsk was rapidly industrialized during the Stalin era and received the nickname "Chicago of Siberia." It remains a largely industrial city to this day. 5) The winters here are cold, as you would expect from something in Siberia. Average highs are below freezing between November and March, with the average January day topping out at a nippy 10F (-12C). Summers are pleasant, with the average high in July standing at 78F (25C). 6) The temperature range here is extreme: the all-time record low is -51F (-46C) and the record high is 98F (37C), a difference of 158F (88C).
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Post by FreakyFlyBry on Jun 11, 2013 0:54:57 GMT -5
You just had to post a picture of one of their Khrushchyovka, didn't you? Same thing with when you featured St. Petersburg. Their climate seems similar to what Canada has... I guess it shouldn't be surprising that hockey is also popular in Russia. If I ever do the Trans-Siberian Railroad tour I'd likely stop by Novosibirsk and see what they have to offer.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 2:13:59 GMT -5
You just had to post a picture of one of their Khrushchyovka, didn't you? Same thing with when you featured St. Petersburg. Yes. Those apartments are so bad, they're good. Their climate seems similar to what Canada has... I guess it shouldn't be surprising that hockey is also popular in Russia. If I ever do the Trans-Siberian Railroad tour I'd likely stop by Novosibirsk and see what they have to offer. I heard the Kontinental Hockey League is considered the #2 league in the world behind the NHL, and they have a team in Novosibirsk. I'd go see a game.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 14:27:58 GMT -5
June 11th, 2013 - Reykjavík, IcelandThe Viking Ship display: With the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights: Some locals I would be sure to meet: 6 Facts About Reykjavik:1) It is the world's northernmost capital city, and boasts an impressive population of around 120,000 residents. The metro area is home to over 200,000 residents! 2) It was here that Icelandic nationalism grew, inspiring the small country to break free from Danish rule. Iceland has been an independent nation since 1944. 3) Both the Americans and the British built military bases here during World War II, during the Allied occupation of the city. 4) It's not as cold as you might think, thanks to the ocean currents. Average highs remain above freezing throughout the entire year, though summers are just about nonexistent. The average high during the warmest month of they year is a chilly 56F (13C), and the all-time high is 79F (26C), one of the lowest record highs you will see for any capital city. 5) The longest days of the year see close to 24 hours of sunlight, while the shortest only see about 4. This is a result of it being so close to the Arctic Circle. 6) Believe it or not, Reykjavik attracts a decent amount of immigrants. Residents who moved here from countries such as Denmark, Poland and The Philippines make up 8% of its population.
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Post by FreakyFlyBry on Jun 11, 2013 22:54:29 GMT -5
You just had to post pictures of Iceland in the winter... just to prove its name Looks very scenic there, I'm sure Iceland overall is beautiful... and if I were to explore it, Reykjavik, as the capital and largest city, is likely where I'd base myself. I've seen the Northern Lights from Saskatchewan latitudes, and I'm sure they'd be more stunning from higher latitudes!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2013 1:42:03 GMT -5
June 13th, 2013 - Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesThis looks like it was taken sometime around 2000 (just guessing): Liberty Memorial: Just look at that grey slab: Arrowhead Stadium, home to the NFL's Chiefs: Some of the many fountains throughout the city: 7 Facts About Kansas City:1) The city is home to around 463,000 residents, making it the most populous city in Missouri. 2) Yes! There is a Kansas City, Kansas as well. It lies adjacent to the more famous city and is home to an additional 145,000 people. 3) KC has more barbecue restaurants per capita than any other in the US, and perhaps in the world. The city is world-renowned for its barbecue cuisine. 4) It has been called the “The Paris of the Plains” largely due to its relaxed take on Prohibition during the 1920s. 5) It was here that Walt Disney opened his first animation studio, Laugh-O-Gram Studios. It was in this building that he fed a small mouse, which served as his inspiration for the legendary Mickey Mouse. 6) The cowboy boot was invented here in 1865. Somewhere, a Texan is crying. 7) Only Rome has more fountains than Kansas City!
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Post by FreakyFlyBry on Jun 14, 2013 3:43:24 GMT -5
Kansas City would definitely be interesting to visit... had no idea that there were so many fountains there!
I feel it really is a crossroads of various regions as it's at the edge of the Midwest, but also has elements of the Wild West. Of course, being adjacent to a state border really helps there.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2013 1:43:24 GMT -5
June 15th, 2013 - Doha, QatarThere used to be some good photos of the skyline during the '90s (to highlight growth since then), but they seem to have been removed. The best I can find is this flyover photo from 30 years ago: The Museum Of Islamic Art: A cool display inside the museum: The Aspire Dome, the world's largest sports dome: The Pearl, Doha's man-made island: Life on The Pearl: City life: 7 Facts About Doha:1) It is the capital of Qatar as well as its largest city, with around 800,000 residents. Like other cities in the region, a majority of these residents are expatriates. 2) Do you like it hot? Then Doha is for you, with five months averaging highs of over 100F (38C). These temperatures can often be coupled with high humidity, resulting in heat indices of 120F (49C) or more on a regular basis during the hottest months of summer. The coolest month of the year is January, where the average high is 71F (22C). 3) The city has experienced rapid growth in recent years, coupled with an amazing architectural boom. Its growth has been compared to that of Dubai. 4) Doha, along with the rest of Qatar, will be hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This has been met with harsh criticism from many fans and analysts, who claim that the conservative, Islamic society of Qatar will not mix with the party-oriented feel of the event. There is also concern about the extreme heat, though chilled stadiums and walkways are being built. 5) Despite the largely Muslim population, it's not as conservative as you might think. For example, wearing bikinis at pools and beaches is fine. 6) It is one of the world's safest cities.
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Post by FreakyFlyBry on Jun 15, 2013 1:59:39 GMT -5
Looks like Qatar's really taken advantage of their capital city's location to make it look rather attractive, especially along their coastline! Doha would be one of the more interesting cities in the Middle East to visit, especially when they host the World Cup. (Apparently being populated by foreigners and a loosening of the traditional Muslim values will help them in this regard.) Of course, it's best avoided in the summer given it gets too hot.
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Post by JessieLou on Jun 15, 2013 7:11:31 GMT -5
Wow Kansas City looks beautiful! Do I see a Versace ad in your Russia post? Of course I would pinpoint the fashion stuff
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2013 1:09:07 GMT -5
Looks like Qatar's really taken advantage of their capital city's location to make it look rather attractive, especially along their coastline! Doha would be one of the more interesting cities in the Middle East to visit, especially when they host the World Cup. (Apparently being populated by foreigners and a loosening of the traditional Muslim values will help them in this regard.) Of course, it's best avoided in the summer given it gets too hot. No matter how much it has loosened up, Qatar is still the strangest host location the World Cup has ever had IMO. For one, it's a SMALL country and I'm interested to see how much airport expansion takes place over the next 9 years, among other things. I'd imagine many more highrise hotels are on the way as well. Given that the World Cup takes place in June and July, that weather will no doubt affect things in some ways. Wow Kansas City looks beautiful! Do I see a Versace ad in your Russia post? Of course I would pinpoint the fashion stuff LOL, you would point that out!
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