Mission Impossible 5

Usually I do not watch Tom Cruise films in cinema. But I spent some days with friends in Vienna and the last movie was partly shot in Vienna. So we went to watch the scenes around the Vienna Opera house. BTW, the Austrian chancelor was killed in the movie.

Aristophanes' Women in Power

In the old Roman theatre of Merida you can watch and enjoy a classic Greek comedy: The Assembly of Women by Aristophanes.

The play is about a group of women and they have decided that the women must convince the men to give them control of Athens. They could rule it better than men. The women, in the guise of men, sneak into the assembly and vote the measure, convincing some of the men to vote for it.

The women set up an egalitarian society in which the state feeds, houses, and generally takes care of every Athenian. They enforce an idea of equality by allowing each man to sleep with any woman, provided that he sleeps with every woman in Athens who is uglier first.

Private property is abolished and all money and property are to go into a common fund. All expenses and purchases by each individual are to come out of the common fund. Any individual with personal property is considered to have stolen from the community.

It is quite impression to follow an ancient play in a authentic ancient surrounding. Your thoughts are meandering while realising that already 2,000 years ago people were sitting on these stone benches and listening to the actors.

More photos from Rio

My last business trip

took me to Rio de Janeiro. Wonderful city! Just see what I bought for my nieces: real Havaianas

Madrid appears to popular amongst my nieces and nephews

They come here in flocks! Well, good for them, Madrid seems to be a party town for young people.

I was fairly inactive the last months but now I will kick off again

I was on a trip to Rio de Janeiro last week. Wonderful city, perfect Samba and other music vibe.

The summary of Spain after 8 months

Health system is excellent and does not cost a penny, at least for the patients. For the state is probably another story ...

Nobody really works during morning hours, lunch break is from 2-4pm or sometimes 5pm, evening activities start in the bar around the corner. Anyway, all Spainards appear to alcoholic ...

Madrid gets really hot in the summer! Every Madrileno warned us ...

At 25 degrees bars do not yet serve chilled drinks: it is still too cold.
Every appartment or house we have seen has a "servicio", i.e. a room for the house maid. Still very usual in Madrid, mostly done by young female South Americans ..