Turkish working girls dress

All the Turkish working girls dress very simply in demure little black frocks, their hair covered with the becoming “charshaf” with a thin veil rakishly thrown over it. It gives to their faces a soft, dark frame from under which a few mischievous blonde or Mack locks openly laugh at the old customs.

Of course there are many more Turkish men than women in business. Many Turkish trading firms have been formed, many Turkish factories are now operating and there are even quite a few small Turkish banks. All these firms employ Turks almost exclusively.

Thus gradually the Turks are reclaiming the business of their own country from those who have had it for centuries and as the Turks are really the only stable and reliable element of the Near East they will surely obtain finally the lead in Near Eastern business matters. The process will be slow as the competition the Turks have to contend with is extremely strong and very often not fair. But their business ability should not be gauged by the time they will require to take a preponderant position in Near Eastern business.

Jews Armenians and Greeks

They have as rivals Jews, Armenians and Greeks who have the benefit of many centuries of experience plus old established organizations. An old saying states that it takes one Jew to fool two Christians, one Armenian to fool two Jews and one Greek to fool two Armenians. The non-Turkish conception of good business in the Orient is principally to fool those one is dealing with. And Greeks, Armenians and Jews are now more than ever trying to “deal” with the Turks!

The principal Turkish business center is, of course, in Stamboul and the location of my office gives me the double advantage of being near my home and among my own people. My office is right at the foot of the hill of the Sublime Porte. It is near the station and almost on the water front. Big transit warehouses for merchandise to be transshipped to and from Black Sea ports are just opposite our building, but as the warehouses are low they do not impair in any way the view I have from my windows.

In fact the view is so gorgeous and so little inductive to work that I have turned my desk so that I have the window and the view at my back. I believe that with such a view as the one we have in Constantinople and with the climate we enjoy, business here will never reach the intensiveness of business in London or in New York, despite the fact that geographically speaking Constantinople commands a more important economic position than any other city in the world being as it is astride two continents.

5 Interesting Facts About the Aztecs

The greatest empire to rule over Mexico, the Aztecs were a phenomenal indigenous civilization which ruled far and wide for over 300 years. Brought to a grounding halt in the 1400s by invading Spanish conquistadores, the last great Mesoamerican ingenious empire has left an impressive legacy behind, overshadowing that of the Toltecs from whom the ruling crown was snatched in the early 13th century. From their inception, and within merely 50 years, their influence over the central region of Mexico was substantial and surprisingly swift.

N’ahuatl, the Aztec language, was introduced immediately and even nowadays its remnants remain. From guacamole to chocolate, chilli and avocado: there are countless words in the English language which derive from the Aztec.

The local economy was single-handled driven by bartering. Colossal markets throughout the kingdom would attract tens of thousands of people. Much like the Maya, the Aztecs were also immensely advanced. Their artistic, architectural and philosophical achievements were impressive.

Plus, as many of you might know, the Aztecs invented chocolate. Reason alone to worship this incredible ancient culture, you say? We agree!

Here are 5 Interesting Facts About the Aztecs you ought to know before visiting Mexico.

To be brutally honest, the Aztecs were a rather psychopathic lot

Although we find it hard to believe that one’s reputation could ever be tarnished – when one has invented chocolate – the Aztecs are actually most renowned for their colossal bloodshed and acts of barbarity. Renowned for being bloodthirsty warriors and for their penchant for mass human sacrifice, the Aztecs are estimated to have sacrificed 20,000 people a year, and more than four times that when a particularly revered temple, especially any dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, was built. Skinning, dismembering and decapitation were ritualistic practices, as was ripping out of a man’s heart while he was still alive.

They were also lovers of sports and the arts

Now, you and I may think it preposterous that warriors who skinned hapless men for a living appreciate the finer things in life, like arts and sports. But to the Aztecs, one had absolutely nothing to do with the other. Sacrifices were deemed an essential part of their evolution. Appeasing the gods was something which guaranteed a more prosperous future, whereas playing sports and indulging in arts of all types – from carving to painting and even poetry – was a way to develop comradery and appreciation of skills.

The Aztecs developed a complex form of slavery

Unlike the more traditional forms of slavery seen the world over, the Aztecs developed a kind of indentured slavery, whereby slaves could, in fact, earn enough money to buy themselves freedom. What’s more, slavery was used as a kind of currency. Aztecs would ‘sell themselves’ into slavery to pay off debts, and would even sell their children for a predetermined number of years. As far as slavery goes, the Aztecs didn’t have it quite as rough as some. They were allowed to marry, have children, earn some money and even own land. This is why many slaves remained so their whole life. Think of it as an alternative form of employment, if you will.

They introduced compulsory schooling

The Aztecs placed a high emphasis on education, both at home (from parents) and in school (from teachers). Since they also had a complex caste social system, the schools were divided by social class, as well as gender. Noble children would go to specific schools to learn about astronomy, philosophy and history, whilst lower caste children would be trained in warfare and skilled trade. Girls’ education was, instead, focussed on home-care duties.

The Aztecs were probably brought undone by disease, not conflict

Knowing what we know about the Aztecs, it now seems much more plausible that the biggest threat European invaders brought to Mexico was disease, not guns. It’s not like they would’ve gone down without a fight. Historians believe that what decimated the Aztec population was smallpox, an infectious disease imported from Europe. In the first five years of European influence, almost 20 million Aztecs are thought to have died of this illness, mostly leaders as they were the ones in contact with the Spanish conquistadores.

 

Tour Packages Bulgaria

You are ready to explore your dreams and travel. Then, it’s time to plan your Bulgaria holiday and benefit from our tour packages Bulgaria.

We are here to take you around a small country with rich history, inspiring nature, mouth-watering cuisine and friendly people. Bulgaria and our private Bulgaria tours are a promise for unique experiences and memories.

When we took the tourism path, we knew our love to Bulgaria only. It turned out to be enough to make our private tours in Bulgaria for you. We like to make you feel the spirit of times passed. Times which left their monuments, their stories, their secrets… You can join our Ancient Bulgaria tour and visit places that let your imagination take you back to the times when the mystic Thracians inhabited these lands. Places like Perperikon.

The medieval archaeological complex is one of the most ancient monumental megalithic structures, entirely carved into the rocks. People there worshipped the rocks as long ago as the Neolithic period.

This tour (like all our tour packages Bulgaria) starts in Sofia (Sofia city tour). From the capital of Bulgaria the journey through time takes you to places symbolic to the country. On this tour you will get to know the village of Tatul where a Thracian megalithic monument is awaiting you.

Ancient Neolithic and Thracian sites

Starosel is rich in ancient Neolithic and Thracian sites. Among them are the underground temple – it is the largest of its kind on the Balkans, and a mausoleum. Another important site, the Horizont tumulus, contains the only known Thracian temple to feature a colonnade.

The Valley of the Thracian Kings. There are dozens of Thracian burial mounds in the region around Kazanlak. The Big Kosmatka (Golyamata Kosmatka) tomb is one of the most impressive tombs, not only because of its size but because of the fact that nobody looted it.

Early Byzantine town of Nikopolis ad Istrum, another site which is part of our tour packages Bulgaria.

The rest of you wish to have the Russian Emperor

Dissensiosis in the Camp of Losnitza.   Disputes at the Skapschtina in 1810.  Further Aid is solicited from Russia.   Peter Dobrinjaz excites the Russians against Kara George, and attempts to restrict hisPoiver.   Kara George detects the Conspiracg against him.   He carries important Resolutions in the Senate, and effects Great Changes.   Arrival of a Russian Regiment at Belgrade.

Wcliko is gained over to the Party of Kara George.  ]\ Ilienko, Peter Dobrinjaz, Schiwkoicitsch.   Milenko and Dobrinjaz are removed from their Militarg Commands, and subsequcntlg exiled to Russia.   Milosch and JSIladen.

The Power of the Gospodars is destroyed.   Kara George becomes Supreme Head of the State.

WE must once more call attention to the campaign of 1809, which, as we have seen, roused the Gospodars to fresh hostility against the Commander in chief ; whom they charged with not entertaining sentiments sufficiently favourable towards the Russians.

Even in the camp of Losnitza the quarrel broke out, as soon as the Turks had retreated. Jacob Xenadowitsch asked   “Who is henceforth to defend these boundaries ?”   “ The very same person,” replied Kara George, “ who has defended them hitherto.” “On no account,” said Jacob   for this had been his otlicc “ Rather let the duty be undertaken by those who refuse foreign assistance, and who would bring our enemies upon us.” Jacob called his troops together, and presenting his nephew the Prota to them, exclaimed   “ Behold !

I sent this man, and he has found for you a gracious Emperor. But Mladen and Miloje reject the Protector, and wish to be kings and emperors themselves.”

At the Skupschtina held about the beginning of 1810, Jacob Nenadowitsch appeared accompanied by a greater number of Mornkes and followers than any other chief: amounting to nearly GOO men, who shouted in the streets, “ We will have the Emperor!” At the meetings, Jacob spoke violently against Mladen. Kara George said : “If Mladen has acted wrongly, do you in future take his place and act better. The rest of you wish to have the Russian Emperor: well, so do I! ”

So much influence did Nenadowitsch gain by this, that Mladen and Miloje, who were considered more directly in fault than the Commander in  chief, were obliged to give way; whilst he himself, on the other hand, was made President of the Senate. Under the pretext that so many officials could not be paid, he removed such of the Sowietniks as did not please him; and it appeared as though he would henceforth share the power with Kara George. Through his influence an embassy was despatched to the Russian camp to solicit assistance.

To the rest, however, this change of affairs was unsatisfactory. Milenko was appointed a member of the Embassy: but when he had reached Po  retsch, instead of proceeding himself, he thought it sufficient to send his secretary. He at once renounced all obedience to the Commander in chief, and excited his district to insurrection.

On the Gospodar depended the election

By these means, in a country so lately freed from the Turks, the germs of civilisation and progress were immediately planted ; in a great measure, after the model presented by the neighbouring state, Austria: but yet by a national impulse, and with peculiar regulations. The Senate, who undertook the superintendence of these regulations, contributed at the same time to the unity of the ruling power. The Senate represented the country at large, as each senator represented his own Xahia.

AVas it not the object of these measures to create a counter influence, in opposition to the arbitrary power of the military leaders ?

At a first glance it might have so appeared ; but such was not the case. The veiy origin of the senators rendered it almost impossible that it should be so. It was indeed intended that each Sowietnik should be sent by the free election of his district: but how could the people of aii}r place venture to reject the proposal of the Gospodar ?

On the Gospodar depended the election ; and as it rested with him, also, to determine how much of the produce of the district he might be disposed to grant to a friend, the comfortable subsistence of the Sowietnik was equally in his hands. Gould a senator so circumstanced act in opposition to the interest of his elector and patron. Could it be expected, for instance, that Jacob Nenadowitsch would be reproved or checked by his nephew, Prota, who was for some time president of the Senate ?

It is true that, in the very nature of the duties of the Senate, there exists to some extent a guarantee of general influence : the very existence of a central authority gives it rights. But these were very far from being always acknowledged. Despite of the decrees of the Senate, some AVoiwodcs retained possession of the custom-houses on the frontier, or of Turkish property: for the enate was unable to render the magistrates independent of the military chiefs.

Commanders habitually feel a consciousness of their own importance, which is readily excited by successful exploits: the AVoiwodes would uot be governed by men of peace. It is well known that at the very commencement, Kara George, when some decrees had been issued which displeased him, went out, assembled his Momkes, and stationed them with their guns pointed against the windows of the Sessions llall. “ It is easy,” lie exclaimed “ to make laws in comfortable rooms : but who will lead the way should the Turkish army again appear ?”