Mario’s World

Standing on the platform in Perpignan, France, you will see the most colorful buildings in the world. And if your on that platform real early in the morning still half-asleep, you might wonder just how much you had to drink the previous night.

Take a look at the pic above.

Now take a look at the one below.

So we were in Italy and the Pantheon was on our to-visit list. All we really know was that it was a building with big marble columns in the front. After getting lost while walking around Rome in the evening, we stumbled on the building in the picture above. And since there were a lot of people taking photos in front of it, we assumed it was the Pantheon. We were quite disappointed with the Pantheon of Rome.

Luckily the next day, we were in another area of Rome and saw signs pointing to the Pantheon. But this round building is what the signs pointed to. A huge odd structure. Where are the columns? Maybe they fell?

After a short stroll down the street we came up to the entrance. Finally, the marble columns, the real Pantheon. It’s a real amazing structure with a big hole in the middle of the dome … probably for fresh air …and rain water.

Lesson to learn …always do more research about the sites you need to visit or take a cab to get there.

Yep, that’s what they are called. Italian electric Pasquali Rickshaws. “Riscio Elettrico Pasquali”.

We saw them all over Rome and Florence. Real tiny 3- wheeler cars. An they park alongside the bikes and scooters and hook up to charging stations around the city. These cars would do great in a market like India. Don’t think they would work in Kuwait on account that petrol is cheaper than electricity. Add to that a top speed of 40km/h. Who drives at 40 kmph in Kuwait?

The painting above is my favorite of all the paintings across the Musei Vaticani, Uffizzi Gallery, Galleria Academia and the Louvre.

It’s called “The Monkey Painter” and is on display at the Louvre.

Of the thousands of paintings Ro and I looked at, only a handful caught our attention. I guess this monkey painted the rest.

Looks like a hand pulling the sun away.

We came upon this odd looking tent like structure while we were walking around Bologna. The entrance was shaped like a cigarette so initially I thought they were advertising for some new cigarette. Seems its a campaign against smoking. Their slogan is No Smoking – Be Happy. Catchy-ish. Here is the translated version of the site.

I think this is a great concept. Public awareness in large popular places. We really need these awareness campaigns in Kuwait. A lot of spoilt brats with black teeth roaming all around smoking in everyone’s faces. There seems to be a higher number of shameless adults smoking in guilt, with misinformed/unaware spouses or family, but none the less stinking up the air you breathe in.

What I liked best about the “No Smoking – Be Happy” site was their “CHARTER OF THE RIGHTS OF NON-SMOKERS“. I guess its more for smokers actually. Here is the roughly translated version:

No. 1 RIGHT TO WELLNESS
Everyone has the right to grow in an environment where smoking does not prevent, with substances that spread, the regular psychological and physical development.

No. 2 RIGHT TO CLEAN AIR
Everyone has the right to breathe clean air everywhere, especially in the home.

No. 3 HARMONY
Everyone has the right to live in a fragrant environment without curtains, sofas, carpets and clothes stinking of cigarette.

No. 4 RIGHT TO INFORMATION
Everyone has the right to be informed about the aesthetic and physical damage that smoking cigars and cigarettes, active and passive, can cause.

No. 5 RIGHT TO PLAY
Everyone has the right to run and play sports without coughing or having asthma attacks, caused by even passive smoking.

No. 6 RIGHT TO HEALTH
Everyone has the right to have clean lungs and blood vessels and a well-functioning heart.

No. 7 RIGHT TO FREEDOM
Everyone has the right to be free from any substance that creates addictive habits and dependence like nicotine.

No. 8 RIGHT TO DIVERSITY
Everyone has the right to be considered beautiful, strong and good without smoking.

No. 9 RIGHT TO WORD
Everyone has the right to criticize those who smoke in their presence.

No. 10 LISTENING
Everyone has the right to be heard if they say that smoking bothers.

This isn’t a food review. We were  passing by this place at mid-night when this fella dressed up in a tribal Arab uniform jumped in front of us and invited us in. The bait was free Kahwa (Arabian coffee). We just finish dinner so we decided to go in for some sweets and coffee. Unfortunately, there were no sweets. Seems they will start serving sweets only after a week.

Anyway, what amazed us most was the authentic Arabian look of this restaurant. These people took a lot of trouble to get it to look so rustic down to the mud wall finishing and the occasional chipped wall. Even the elevator doors looks like the old gates of Kuwait. Its located on the mezzanine floor of a new building between Oriental and Mughal Mahal in Salmiya.

When you enter the restaurant, you fell like your back in the 70′s … the older “Old Souk” feeling. And that’s cause they have actually setup stalls in there. You can’t buy anything but its there on display. You can choose to dine in a  tent or in the general seating area.

They even have themed private rooms which were decorated amazingly. Even if you don’t want to eat at this place, you have to go there just to check out the interiors.

…And don’t forget to get your free Kahwa.

This is the entrance to the Mafia Street in Florence. They were kind enough to inform visitors that its a dead end too.

In case your wondering, I didn’t bother entering that lane.

Look at the picture above and then look at the picture below. Same street but you wouldn’t realize how amazing it is till you take in the whole view. Buildings constructed in the midst of some old ruins. Looks real  rustic.