tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69148088476883097302024-03-12T17:54:00.591-07:00The AttacheA collection of photo essays displaying the challenges and rewards of international business.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914808847688309730.post-42254069767902685392010-11-13T17:25:00.000-08:002010-11-13T17:25:34.825-08:00Dilijan, Armenia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>If Yerevan is the mind of Armenia, then Dilijan, about 60 miles north of Armenia's capital, is the nation's heart. This town of 16,000 is a world away from Yerevan. Old stone and wood houses make for a soothing walk. Surrounded by Dilijan are square miles after square miles of farms, at which produce including walnuts, stone fruits, pomegranates, and grains are grown--making Armenia a rich center for agriculture. Some food processing occurs here, and there is a smidgen of services: the Central Bank of Armenia is reported to move many of there operations here by 2013. <br />
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Dilijan is a microcosm of what Armenia is now and what it could be: a balance between the old sectors like agriculture, and services, of which outsourcing could bring jobs to a population that is highly skilled but needs the right opportunities in order to make a decent living.<br />
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The following pictures were taken in our 2003 visit. Enjoy!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN844EF6s4I/AAAAAAAAAHU/dxcr-4-PbfY/s1600/006_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN844EF6s4I/AAAAAAAAAHU/dxcr-4-PbfY/s320/006_3.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A door to Dilijan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN85FcoV0sI/AAAAAAAAAHY/AksZOiHahEs/s1600/012_9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN85FcoV0sI/AAAAAAAAAHY/AksZOiHahEs/s320/012_9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An view of Dilijan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN85PKOFvDI/AAAAAAAAAHc/7_qDzQhnazs/s1600/011_8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN85PKOFvDI/AAAAAAAAAHc/7_qDzQhnazs/s320/011_8.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The architectural features make Dilijan rich</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chat with some locals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN85iBZAFLI/AAAAAAAAAHk/mEP7khFHOok/s1600/008_5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN85iBZAFLI/AAAAAAAAAHk/mEP7khFHOok/s320/008_5.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone wall with a hint of patina<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN85s5Bm7LI/AAAAAAAAAHo/emZSb2DjryU/s1600/010_7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN85s5Bm7LI/AAAAAAAAAHo/emZSb2DjryU/s320/010_7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street scene, Dilijan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN853OejieI/AAAAAAAAAHs/jQ_hxNHbOmU/s1600/015_12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TN853OejieI/AAAAAAAAAHs/jQ_hxNHbOmU/s320/015_12.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another view of Dilijan<br />
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</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914808847688309730.post-32815145270937173482010-11-05T13:45:00.000-07:002010-11-05T13:48:24.361-07:00Randolph, VermontAfter visiting Vermont for a Ben & Jerry's event, I have to share my enthusiasm for Vermont. Vermont represents what many Americans long for and yet what most of us would avoid if the reality was dropped in front of us. Vermont is gorgeous, especially in the fall, and while I never use this cliched word, let's face it: this tiny state, once an independent country, is bucolic.<br />
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Randolph is one of many picturesque towns throughout Vermont. The town is home to just under 5,000 people, most of whom are entrepreneurial: you have got to be if you are going to live in this very rural state. <br />
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The town is the meeting area for the local region, and is home to schools, stores, and services. Its library is noted for its fine local jams (from what I have heard), and is typical of how locals make a living: you need to know where to find those fine heirloom vegetables, maple syrup, and other local products for which Vermont is famous. More than a few move to Vermont: many thrive, others experience a winter and remember why they left Florida.<br />
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I'm sharing a few photos of this special town.<br />
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The surrounding area is gorgeous for its peacefulness and simplicity. The romanticism of the gaucho may be long gone, but residents of the San Jose de Mayo are still very close to the earth. We happened to traipse through along Uruguay’s Route 1, and enjoyed the farms, ranches, and forests.<br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914808847688309730.post-67112289025309317632010-10-15T14:58:00.000-07:002010-10-15T14:58:56.883-07:00Zhuhai, China: the Other Shenzhen<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Think of <country-region w:st="on">China</country-region>, the world’s workshop, and chances are you are reminded of Shenzhen, the miracle city across the border from <place w:st="on">Hong Kong</place>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
But there is another city that has is crucial to the world’s supply chain.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Zhuhai is a pleasant city of 1.5 million people that is across the border from <place w:st="on">Macau</place>. Like Shenzhen, it is a special economic zone that the Chinese government established in the 1980s.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Several large multinationals, including ExxonMobil, BP, Seimens, and Carrefour have a presence in Zhuhai. Despite its massive economic and population growth, Zhuhai is a pleasant city to spend a few hours to take a break from casino-mad <place w:st="on">Macau</place>; life as an expat here would be a fine option, too.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Much of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">China</place></country-region>’s food and agricultural exports run through Zhuhai, as these photos suggest. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914808847688309730.post-26733866645625501442010-10-05T11:21:00.000-07:002010-10-05T11:23:37.367-07:00Flores, Guatemala<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">For 36 years <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Guatemala</place></country-region> suffered through a civil war that tore apart families and forced many to flee their country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small nation bordering <country-region w:st="on">Mexico</country-region> has been war-free the past several years, but is still recovering: it is one of the 10 poorest nations in <place w:st="on">Latin America</place>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">But there is hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The country has boosted agriculture exports: walk into a Trader Joe’s and those snap peas were probably grown in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Guatemala</place></country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Textiles are also manufactured in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Guatemala</place></country-region>, and some light industry and assembly exist.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
Nevertheless, many Guatemalans still suffer from extreme poverty, especially its indigenous people, who make a visit to <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Guatemala</place></country-region> rich from its cultural heritage.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">One danger the nation faces is deforestation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The government’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cuatro Balam</i> Plan hopes to increase tourism and sustainable agriculture in Petén, the northernmost <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">departamento</i> (department, or county) in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Guatemala</place></country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eco-tourism is on the rise, and visitors flock to ancient Mayan sites like <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Tikal</place></city>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
The capital of Petén is Flores, a charming town on Lake Petén Itza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sits on what was once an island, but now a bridge connects this colorful and charming town to nearby Santa Elana, where an open market drives local commerce.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Several years ago we spent Christmas in <country-region w:st="on">Guatemala</country-region>, and spent a night in <place w:st="on">Flores</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking around the streets was a simple pleasure, so here are a few photos.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtr25CcQYI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ZhbzC8A408Y/s1600/flores+red+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtr25CcQYI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ZhbzC8A408Y/s320/flores+red+window.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtr9TJ1udI/AAAAAAAAAFY/3ErzEOMchSk/s1600/flores+lake+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtr9TJ1udI/AAAAAAAAAFY/3ErzEOMchSk/s320/flores+lake+view.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsGD_HAtI/AAAAAAAAAFg/9Jyz_jqOays/s1600/airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsGD_HAtI/AAAAAAAAAFg/9Jyz_jqOays/s320/airport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsKpDfsGI/AAAAAAAAAFk/DR8O-E0Bvw8/s1600/flowers+in+flores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsKpDfsGI/AAAAAAAAAFk/DR8O-E0Bvw8/s320/flowers+in+flores.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsQCJdZJI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ugTjDr8tovw/s1600/flores+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsQCJdZJI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ugTjDr8tovw/s320/flores+blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsWe39lyI/AAAAAAAAAFs/jLakVyWtAWI/s1600/market+in+flores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsWe39lyI/AAAAAAAAAFs/jLakVyWtAWI/s320/market+in+flores.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsaOs5aVI/AAAAAAAAAFw/a_-vIILHwb0/s1600/xmas+tree+flores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKtsaOs5aVI/AAAAAAAAAFw/a_-vIILHwb0/s320/xmas+tree+flores.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914808847688309730.post-4198805343578354822010-09-29T00:18:00.000-07:002010-09-29T00:18:20.296-07:00San Antonio, Chile<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The largest freight port in <country-region w:st="on">Chile</country-region> is also the busiest on the Pacific coast of <place w:st="on">South America</place>. <city w:st="on">San Antonio</city>, about an hour's drive from <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Santiago</place></city>, is a pleasant city of about 85,000. Its climate is similar to that of Northern California's—and the local terrain is similar to the coast between <city w:st="on">San Francisco</city> and <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Santa Cruz</place></city>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">San Antonio</span></city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> is crucial to <country-region w:st="on">Chile</country-region>'s success as a major supplier of commodities, from crops like avocados to copper, which by most estimates account for 40% to 50% of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Chile</place></country-region>'s GDP.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The town is marvelous window into middle class Chilean life. The waterfront is lined with restaurants and street vendors, but is not slick and touristy. While watching families pose for photos, the docks in the background work around the clock unloading and loading ships that will traipse around the <place w:st="on">Pacific Rim</place> and world. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Nearby is Isla Negra, one of Pablo Neruda's home and apparently his favorite. Best of all, the area is accessible by colectivos, taxicabs that serve a fixed route and pick up and drop off passengers wherever they need to go.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKLnNtOLOXI/AAAAAAAAAE0/RI2Xdo-ybfU/s1600/san+antonio+sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKLnNtOLOXI/AAAAAAAAAE0/RI2Xdo-ybfU/s320/san+antonio+sea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKLnbPtwWCI/AAAAAAAAAE8/XBrFjnuMEvo/s1600/san+antonio+wind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKLnbPtwWCI/AAAAAAAAAE8/XBrFjnuMEvo/s320/san+antonio+wind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKLniyZihCI/AAAAAAAAAFA/mQ3YhpJnNxM/s1600/isla+negra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TKLniyZihCI/AAAAAAAAAFA/mQ3YhpJnNxM/s320/isla+negra.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914808847688309730.post-20605875970084766102010-09-26T12:33:00.000-07:002010-09-26T12:37:35.615-07:00Pomegranate Central: Yettem, CA<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I thought I would go back to my roots and show a few pictures of <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Yettem</city>, <state w:st="on">California</state></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yettem is a small town just south of the <placename w:st="on">Fresno</placename> <placetype w:st="on">County</placetype> line in <placename w:st="on">Tulare</placename> <placetype w:st="on">County</placetype>, 11 miles north of <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Visalia</place></city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town is so small that chances are it will not show up on your GPS—it is generally considered to be part of Cutler.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Yettem was founded by Armenian immigrants over 100 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many Armenians have left the town, but some still work in the citrus and pomegranate orchards, and <span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/St-Mary-Armenian-Church-Yettem/">St. Mary’s Church</a></span> still serves the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of their legacies is the pomegranate orchards in this region. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pomegranates are one of the world’s oldest fruits, woven with a rich legacy of myths and of course, timeless recipes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I drove through Yettem last January, taking a detour along state route CA-201.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was struck by the fruit falling on the ground, the quiet except for the occasional passing truck, and the beauty of the pomegranates still hanging from the dormant trees.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">In this age of a globalized food supply, it is easy to forget where our food comes from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving through Yettem’s understated beauty, it is a shame that we do not visit the sources of our food more often.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I figured these pictures would be a fitting tribute to my grandmother, who emigrated from <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Armenia</place></country-region> in the 1930s—she would have been 105 years old on Tuesday.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">By the way, any foodie should have a bottle of pomegranate molasses in their pantry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does wonders for stews and meats!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-f0GncVJI/AAAAAAAAAEk/D4u8ZLRyjV8/s1600/solo+pomegranate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-f0GncVJI/AAAAAAAAAEk/D4u8ZLRyjV8/s320/solo+pomegranate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fSR5Fq9I/AAAAAAAAAEI/eUXSikYHEhM/s1600/Yettem+poms+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fSR5Fq9I/AAAAAAAAAEI/eUXSikYHEhM/s320/Yettem+poms+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fW5WCARI/AAAAAAAAAEM/_To60wrwgJ8/s1600/yettem+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fW5WCARI/AAAAAAAAAEM/_To60wrwgJ8/s320/yettem+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fbFY7x4I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/jLMEfXjaTdo/s1600/St.+Mary's+Church,+Yettem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fbFY7x4I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/jLMEfXjaTdo/s320/St.+Mary's+Church,+Yettem.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fgP61rqI/AAAAAAAAAEU/bfPAc95Leok/s1600/Khatchkar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fgP61rqI/AAAAAAAAAEU/bfPAc95Leok/s320/Khatchkar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fkwatKvI/AAAAAAAAAEY/idFAs7FX-Yg/s1600/yettem+stop+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fkwatKvI/AAAAAAAAAEY/idFAs7FX-Yg/s320/yettem+stop+sign.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fp9BYBhI/AAAAAAAAAEc/nT8m6VsGmO8/s1600/yettem+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fp9BYBhI/AAAAAAAAAEc/nT8m6VsGmO8/s320/yettem+road.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fu0PY0pI/AAAAAAAAAEg/Vu6OF245SCs/s1600/yettem+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-fu0PY0pI/AAAAAAAAAEg/Vu6OF245SCs/s320/yettem+winter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-f5v-xZqI/AAAAAAAAAEo/bFgy_7WWmDM/s1600/pomegranates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-f5v-xZqI/AAAAAAAAAEo/bFgy_7WWmDM/s320/pomegranates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-f9X8ASII/AAAAAAAAAEs/R68nP_xVGPo/s1600/open+pom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJ-f9X8ASII/AAAAAAAAAEs/R68nP_xVGPo/s320/open+pom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914808847688309730.post-79916302249988582342010-09-17T15:39:00.000-07:002010-09-17T15:39:15.746-07:00Rila Monastery, Bulgaria<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><country-region w:st="on">Bulgaria</country-region> has had its share of tough times, but this gem is one of the most fascinating places to visit in <place w:st="on">Europe</place>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole country is like an open air museum: mosques from the Ottoman Era, enormous churches, and yes, the drab buildings from the post World War II era. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bulgaria</place></country-region> also is a rich breadbasket, offering fine wines, rose oil, abundant fruit, and a skilled labor force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its industry is heavy on the services side, followed by industry and then the agricultural sector. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bulgarian craftsmanship is also often overlooked: its beautiful ceramics, for example, are colorful, sturdy, and match art with function.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Sofia</place></city>, its capital and industrial center, is experiencing massive growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But 70 miles away in the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Rila</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Mountains</placetype></place> is the eponymous monastery, dating back to the 900s. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Destroyed by fire in the 1830s, its reconstruction was finished in 1862, and boasts almost 9000 square meters of gorgeous grounds and spectacular domes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few shots from my visit in 2003.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJPtQ43awyI/AAAAAAAAADg/sRumdN7Yj7I/s1600/Rila+Monastery+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJPtQ43awyI/AAAAAAAAADg/sRumdN7Yj7I/s320/Rila+Monastery+1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJPtlfY8mII/AAAAAAAAAEA/KnMn3wA3Odk/s1600/Rila+Monastery+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TJPtlfY8mII/AAAAAAAAAEA/KnMn3wA3Odk/s320/Rila+Monastery+1.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914808847688309730.post-31454975471463376202010-09-10T15:57:00.000-07:002010-09-10T15:58:53.373-07:00Aalsmeer, The NetherlandsOnce a week or so I will post photo essays. Here is my second.<br />
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Few places display the intricacies of international trade like Aalsmeer, Holland, home of the largest wholesale flower market in the world. Most of the flowers that traipse through Aalsmeer are not even grown in Holland--many come in late at night from Africa, and are often sold off around the world before most of us wake up. I was fascinated by the constant movement and geometric patterns.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TIq21FANsHI/AAAAAAAAADY/-zrOvYl8F-8/s1600/IMG_2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ayEvgpJSRAg/TIq21FANsHI/AAAAAAAAADY/-zrOvYl8F-8/s320/IMG_2214.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6914808847688309730.post-41211272601652900982010-09-08T21:24:00.000-07:002010-09-08T21:24:15.359-07:00Welcome to The Attache!Welcome to The Attache!<br />
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Please read my <a href="http://leontheattache.blogspot.com/p/introduction.html">intro</a> and <a href="http://leontheattache.blogspot.com/p/about-attache.html">bio</a>. I created this site to articulate my business worldview.<br />
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Many of my <a href="http://greengopost.com/category/business/">thoughts</a> on business and strategy can be found on my other web site.<br />
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But this site is focused on my passion, international business, and my desire to achieve a position with an international business focus.<br />
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So about once a week I will present a photo gallery expressing how I view the world--the focus of which will be on off-the-beaten-track places.<br />
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Every journey has to start somewhere, so my first photo is from Athens--not exactly out of the way, but its old Olympic Stadium, host of the 1896 Games, is a great place to start.<br />
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