Intellectual Ideas

Design Reflects A Culture

Traditional Architectural Design

When you visit Morocco you can’t help notice the design of buildings and detail in the mosaics.  The architectural style is a reflection of the mix of cultures influencing artists since the first century.

Previously the Phoenicians and Romans controlled the Northern African region.  As time passed, the Berbers, who were the native people of the Atlas Mountains adapted Islam and Arabic culture became dominate in the land.    In 788 (yes, over 1,200 years ago!)  the first Islamic State was formed by Moulay Idriss I, the Idrisside Dynasty began in Fez, Morocco.

“What is beautiful is never too expensive. What is glorious has no price”. Thus spoke the Merinid Sultan Abu Inan when he was presented with the final costs of the monumental Bou Inaniya, a medersa or religious Muslim academy, that he had built in his capital, Fez, in the 14th century.

I won’t continue the history lesson, you know it goes back and forth with battles between Spain and Morocco.  What happened is a mix of cultural influences on both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar.

One example is a Riad, which is a traditional house or palace with an interior garden, modeled after the Roman courtyard dwellings.  The Riad is inward focused allowing privacy and protection from the weather.  The interior gardens and open roof provided air and light which is lacking in a mud brick wall construction.

Entrance to these houses is a major transitional experience and encourages reflection because all of the rooms open into the central atrium space.  In the garden there are often orange or lemon trees and possibly a fountain.  The interior walls are decorated with intricate geometric mosaic tiles.

The Moroccan culture is rich and diverse – Spanish, Italian, French, Arabic, African, Catholic, Jewish, Islamic.  Each region possesses its own uniqueness, contributing to the national culture.   Today, Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its diversity and the preservation of its cultural heritage.

In celebration of that diversity, I am going to bring Moroccan Design into my home.  While I can’t rebuild my home, I can bring a fountain and mosaic tiles onto my back patio.  The geometric patterns are mesmerizing and yet calming, the blue and black on white is spectacular.  I’ve got the citrus trees, maybe a little belly dancing music… What do you think?  Can you incorporate this design into your life?

Patterned Mosaic Tiles

Cooperation and Commerce in Panama

Miraflores Locks Opening for Ships

One of man’s greatest engineering achievements is the Panama Canal which cuts across Central America connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The 50 mile long canal is a series of locks, or water filled chambers that raise and lower ships.  It took almost 35 years to build, from 1880 to 1914.

Steam shoves and hand picks were used to dredge and cut through jugles, hills and swamps.  Tropical diseases took the lives of thousands of workers.  Visit http://www.panamacanalmuseum.org for more pictures and stories.

The canal was built by the United States under a treaty with Panama.  It was agreed, the U.S. would operate the canal and control a 10 mile wide Zone around it.   In 1979, the treaties and negotiations concluded and control was given to the Panamanian government.

The partnership with the two countries was a benefit to the whole world.  The shipping distance around South America was cut by over 7,800 miles.   Today, the average voyage takes only 8-10 hours.

The Panamanian government has begun a 10 year project to expand the canal and open a third lane of travel.  The size of ships has grown and the traffic is significant through the canal.

Cruiseship Going Thru the Locks

Many feel that Panama is leading the growth of Central and South America.  It is seen as an economic hub between the the two continents.  Panama City’s skyline is rapidly growing as developers, merchants and people discover the stable economy and beauty of the country.

The canal is evidence that countries and commerce can work together.   In 1880 it was an unbelievable project that demonstrated man’s ability to conquer rocks and water.  It still proves today that we can work together for the benefit of everyone.

Let’s continue our journey further into Panama next time…  Joy

Global in NYC

Lady Liberty Welcomes Everyone

When I had to decide where to begin this global journey, I chose New York City.

I’ve lived in NYC for almost 20 years, so I have to admit that I have a biased opinion.  For me, it’s the greatest city in the world.

The Statue of Liberty has stood in the harbor since 1886 and many consider her the symbol of American Freedom.   Ellis Island welcomed millions of immigrants to our country.   Over the years, people came in waves from countries all over the planet.  Today, immigration is processed at Kennedy Airport as flights arrive from Africa and Asia.

One thing I love about New York is that everyone lives together.  My neighbors were from all races, religions and political views.  I would ride the subway to work and see people reading all kinds of foreign language newspapers – English, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, Korean.  Everyone was going to work and everyone wanted to read their newspapers!

While America is the great melting pot of immigrants, we still manage to keep our separate cultures alive.   There is a real excitement within the first generation of American immigrants.  They have come to make a better life for themselves and work very hard to be successful.  Many have left family behind but they are thankful for the opportunities they can make here.

My family came to the States a long, long time ago and I’ve forgotten that pioneer spirit.   I take so many things for granted.  My life seems pretty easy when I think about the recent immigrants and what they’re facing.

Dale Carnegie said “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy.  It is what you think about.”

Dale’s right – think about all the good things in life, and there they are.  Lady Liberty is standing in the NYC harbor as a beacon for freedom and prosperity.  I’m going to think about her and smile when I go into that new Jamaican restaurant and order dinner.

Happy Living Global!  Joy