2012年2月29日 星期三
2012年2月24日 星期五
Bruges, Belgium
36 Hours: Bruges, Belgium
A Weekend in Bruges: Beyond Cobbled Lanes and Medieval Canals
By INGRID K. WILLIAMS
Published: February 23, 2012
THE portrayal of Bruges in the 2008 dark comedy “In Bruges” was of a fairy tale city so dull it nearly drove Colin Farrell’s character mad. “Maybe that’s what hell is: the entire rest of eternity spent in Bruges,” he concludes in the closing scene of the film (the sanitized version, that is). In reality, the charming capital of West Flanders in northwestern Belgium is indeed tranquil, with swans gliding along medieval canals and cobblestone lanes dotted with lace shops and quiet cafes. But Bruges now has much more to offer. Ambitious restaurants are run by talented young chefs, and creative chocolate shops stock the confections of experimental chocolatiers. New and renovated museums are opening their doors and, after dark, local beer pubs offer mind-boggling selections of rare Belgian beers from the region’s celebrated breweries. Hell? Hardly.
Multimedia
Related
Travel Guide: Bruges
Jock Fistick for The New York Times
Jock Fistick for The New York Times
Friday
3:30 p.m.
1. WONDERLAND WANDER
Much of the enchanting city center is truly reminiscent of a fairy tale, with stone footbridges spanning picturesque canals and cobblestone streets curving past turreted manor houses. To see the prettiest parts of this medieval wonderland, wander along the Dijver canal, which snakes through town, making sure to end your stroll at Markt, the main square dominated by a 13th-century belfry. The energetic can spiral up the bell tower’s 366 steps for a view over the city, but first exercise the panoramic capability on your camera at ground level: the neo-Gothic courthouse, the belfry itself and the quaint gabled buildings ringing the square.
5 p.m.
2. CHOCOLATE TASTING
With the absurdly high concentration of chocolate shops in town, it may seem as if every other storefront is peddling piles of pralines and trays of truffles. When succumbing to this temptation, seek out Bruges’s most innovative spots like Dominique Persoone’s shop, the Chocolate Line (Simon Stevinplein 19; 32-50-34-10-90; thechocolateline.be), packed with creative confections and fanciful flavor combinations like bitter ganache with vodka, passion fruit and lime. At the newcomer BbyB (Sint-Amandsstraat 39; 32-50-70-57-60; bbyb.be), however, the emphasis is on taste without tricks. Opened in October 2010, the sleek, all-white store is stocked with simple bars of fine Belgian chocolate wrapped in Pantone-style numbered boxes; try No. 15 with milk chocolate, hazelnut and babelutte (a regional caramel-like candy) or No. 50 with dark chocolate, tonka beans and lemon.
8 p.m.
3. THREE STARS ARE SHINING
The latest buzz in the world of Belgian gastronomy surrounds neither chocolate nor beer, but rather the elegant little restaurant Hertog Jan (Torhoutsesteenweg 479; 32-50-67-34-46; hertog-jan.com). In November, it was awarded a third Michelin star, becoming only the third restaurant in the country to earn this honor. If you can snag a table in the minimalist dining room, expect a parade of beautiful, pared-down plates from the chef Gert De Mangeleer, ranging from sea scallops with veal marrow, thin slices of Jerusalem artichoke and tiny dollops of herring eggs, to luscious Limousin lamb served candied with turnips and lemon myrtle. The five-course set menu is 115 euros, or $150 at $1.30 to the euro, excluding drinks.
Saturday
9 a.m.
4. FROM MARKET TO MARKET
Start the day as the locals do, at the street market on ‘t Zand square. Skip the bric-a-brac vendors and head to the northern end of the square to shop for Belgian cheeses, smoked herring and freshly baked loaves of raisin-and-nut bread. Then buy a bag of fresh mini-boterwafels, sweet butter waffles (3.50 euros), from the stand on nearby Hauwerstraat, and munch on them on the way to the Beursplein produce market.
10 a.m.
5. POTENT PRIMITIVES
This early in the morning, crowds have yet to pack the museums, so take your time admiring paintings by the Flemish Primitives, a group of influential artists who flourished in the city in the 15th century. Start at the Memling in Sint-Jan Hospitaal Museum (Mariastraat 38; 32-50-44-87-71; museabrugge.be), where six captivating works by Hans Memling adorn a small chapel. Then cross the canal to the Groeninge Museum (Dijver 12; 32-50-44-87-51; museabrugge.be), which reopened in 2011 after major renovations. Studying the stunning realism of Jan van Eyck’s “Madonna With Canon Joris van der Paele” in person is worth the price of admission (8 euros) alone.
1 p.m.
6. LUNCH WITH LOCALS
Avoid restaurants in the historic old town where prices and quality reflect a reliance on tourists rather than repeat customers. Instead, head to Tête Pressée (Koningin Astridlaan 100; 32-470-21-26-27; tetepressee.be), a stylish lunch-only spot (with an adjacent deli selling takeout) that opened in July 2009 in the residential neighborhood of Sint-Michiels. One hint that this place is intended for locals: the menu is only in Dutch. Take a seat at the long counter framing the open kitchen anyway, because the friendly chef Pieter Lonneville will happily translate. But really, you can’t go wrong with anything on the three-course prix fixe menu (33 euros). A recent lunch featured deconstructed pheasant stew with endive and grilled squash, and a wedge of pear clafoutis served warm with fresh figs.
5 p.m.
7. FLEMISH FASHION
Style mavens who can’t make it to Antwerp, the capital of Belgium’s avant-garde fashion scene, will be thrilled to discover the boutique L’Héroïne (Noordzandstraat 32; 32-50-33-56-57; lheroine.be). This unassuming shop stocks an outstanding collection of the country’s most progressive designers, from established labels like Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester to young talents like Christian Wijnants. Racks are packed with beautifully draped silk print dresses, asymmetric jackets, voluminous wool capes and thick, knitted scarves: understated, cool pieces without a logo in sight.
7 p.m.
8. FRY GUY
After a filling lunch, dinnertime will very likely roll around before your stomach starts to rumble. (Chocolate nibbling might also be a culprit.) But that makes this a fitting time to indulge in another regional specialty: Belgian fries. Here, the twice-fried, thick-cut fries are practically unrecognizable from America’s favorite fast-food side, especially when topped with a generous dollop of mayonnaise or curry sauce. One of the newest fry shops in town, Chez Vincent (Sint-Salvatorskerkhof 1; 32-50-68-43-95; chezvincent.eu), delivers piping-hot fries with a fresh side salad (3.50 euros for a large order) and views of the neighboring Sint-Salvator Cathedral through the bay windows in the upstairs dining room. And yes, it also has ketchup.
9 p.m.
9. MAKE MINE A TRIPEL
There’s no shortage of beer pubs in town, but there’s also no reason your first and last stop for a beer should be anywhere but ’t Brugs Beertje (Kemelstraat 5; 32-50-33-96-16; brugsbeertje.be). This venerated spot is undeniably gezellig, a Dutch word that perfectly encapsulates the cozy, homey feeling of the pub. Novices who can’t tell a dubbel from a Duvel can rely on the knowledgeable staff to help select a brew from the hundreds of choices on the beer menu. Connoisseurs will delight in sifting through the fantastic options, which include St. Bernardus Tripel, La Rulles Estivale and Orval Trappist ale (most beers, 3 to 3.50 euros).
Sunday
10 a.m.
10. FOR WHOM THE BELLS TOLL
Let your inner carillonneur ring at the Sound Factory (’t Zand 34; 32-70-22-33-02; sound-factory.be), a new interactive museum inside the contemporary Concertgebouw (Concert Hall) building (admission 6 euros). Compose a symphony on the rooftop — inspired, perhaps, by the lovely views across town — with a touch-screen exhibit that puts control of (recorded) chimes from the city’s various church bells at your fingertips. Then descend the staircase through an eerie auditory installation to the fifth floor, where the highlight is the colorful artwork-cum-synthesizer titled “OMNI.”
Noon
11. RIDE WITH THE WIND
When the streets start to swell with tourists, the best way to escape is on two wheels. Rent a bicycle at the train station (8 euros for four hours) and pedal northeast along the wide canal that circles the city. A gentle, 30-minute ride meanders down a leafy bike path, through green parks, over a wooden footbridge, and past the city’s four remaining windmills. On the return trip, take a short detour to Begijnhof, a quiet courtyard ringed with whitewashed cottages that were once home to Bruges’s beguines — a religious order of single and widowed women that dates back to the 13th century. Today, Benedictine nuns live here, and a respectful order of silence is in place along the shady path, ensuring that these well-trodden cobblestones are among the most peaceful in Bruges.
IF YOU GO
Opened in November 2009, the Grand Hotel Casselbergh (Hoogstraat 6; 32-50-44-65-00; grandhotelcasselbergh.com) has 118 stylish rooms and a modern silver-tiled facade that stands out among the quaint gables. Doubles from 125 euros (about $160).
Wedged between a quiet cobblestone lane and the Dijver canal, the elegant Hotel de Orangerie (Kartuizerinnenstraat 10; 32-50-34-16-49; hotelorangerie.be) boasts 20 cozy, romantic rooms with antiques, floral-print décor and canal views. Doubles from 200 euros.
2012年2月23日 星期四
台湾の社交網
台湾のソーシャルネットワークの今を知る
もちろん、無名小站は台湾ローカルのソーシャルネットワークとして、特にサービス開始以来10年以上に渡ってユーザーが蓄積してきたコンテンツを持つ強み を依然として発揮しています。そこで、今回は台湾のソーシャルネットワークの入門編として、無名小站と Facebook の2つを見てみることにします。
無名小站は無料で使えるソーシャルネットワークサービスで、写真や映像を投稿できる個人のブログサービスとして、今でも台湾のほぼ全てのネットユーザーが 知るプラットフォームです。現在は約1,000万人のユーザーがいますが、既に2005年にはブログや写真共有サイトとして台湾で1位(当時はブログのカ テゴリーでは244万人のユニークアクセスユーザーと、23.7%のユーザー到達率で、2位の PChome 個人新聞台のいずれも2倍近い数値、創市際調べ)を誇っており、台湾のソーシャルネットワーク文化を作り上げてきました。その無名小站は、2007年に Yahoo!奇摩(台湾の Yahoo!)によって買収され、現在は Yahoo!奇摩の一つのサービスとして取り扱われています。
もともと台湾のソーシャルネットワークは、結構「開けっ広げに」投稿するという、やや日本とは異なる特徴があり、多くのユーザーがプライベートの写真を公 開したり、個人的な出来事をブログに書いたりしてきました。例えば mixi や GREE はログインしなければ投稿内容や写真を見ることはできませんが、無名小站の相簿(写真共有・アルバム)では見たい相手のユーザー ID さえ分かれば、ログインせずともすべての写真を見ることができます。
筆者が経営するクララオンラインの台湾現地法人であるクララオンライン台湾の現地社員も、少なくとも2006年頃には全ての社員が無名小站に ID を持っていたと記憶しています。彼らの様子を知りたいときには、よく無名小站のページを見ていました。少し距離が近づくと、「無名(無名小站のこと)の ID を持っている?」という会話も多かった時代です。
無名小站はそのビジネスモデルを当初は広告によって作り上げ、その後は有料会員の獲得によってマネタイズしています。例えば無料のユーザー ID では写真をアップロードできる容量は150MB に限られていますが、年間499台湾ドル(約1,400円)を払えば1.2GB、1,000台湾ドル(約2,670円)を払えば6GB まで使えるほか、投稿できるブログの上限や、自分のページのデザインの変更、ページから広告を外すことができる機能など、長く、しかもヘビーに使えば使う ほど会員ランクを上げていく課金設計になっています。
ところが、無名小站の独壇場だった台湾のソーシャルネットワークは、この2年ほどのあいだに一気に Facebook にそのリーディングポジションを奪われるという大きな変化がありました。2009年に、少し日本より早く Facebook ブームがきた台湾では、2010年初頭にはまだ Facebook と無名小站のユーザー数・ユーザー滞在時間には大差はありませんでした。しかし、その差は徐々に広がり始め、ユーザー数では2010年末に (comScore、2011年)、ユーザー滞在時間では2011年4月に Facebook が一位に躍り出ています(創市際「網站使用時間観察分析 」2011年9月版)。
台湾の主要な Web サービスのユーザー滞在時間を示した様々な資料を見てみると、トップ5に入る残り2つの Yahoo!奇摩や YouTube、Google の数値に大きな変化はなく、無名小站が減少を続ける一方、Facebook が急激に増加している様子が見てとれます。なお、直近の台湾の Facebook ユーザーは1,153万人(socialbakers など)とされており、人口に対してほぼ5割、インターネットユーザーの総数に対して7割という浸透率です。
ちなみに、中国大陸からは、Facebook はもちろんのこと、無名小站もアクセスを遮断されています。先ほどこの記事を書くために北京から直接アクセスしたところ、このアクセスは自動的に遮断されました。
台湾は1月14日に総統選があり、馬英九氏が総統に再選されました。台湾では選挙の最中のインターネット利用は自由度が高く、各陣営で選挙日の前日まで Facebook の更新は続けられていました。その馬氏は Facebook のファンページ(https://www.facebook.com/MaYingjeou)を2010年に開設し、この原稿を書いている時点では約139万人が「いいね」ボタンを押しています。一方、対抗馬として選挙戦を争った民進党の蔡英文氏のファンページ(https://www.facebook.com/tsaiingwen)の「いいね」は約66万人。実際の選挙戦では接戦でしたが、「Facebook 戦」では大差がついていたようです。
(執筆:株式会社クララオンライン 家本賢太郎)
《從空中看台灣》攝影師 齊柏林
攝影師 齊柏林《從空中看台灣》 ■齊柏林的自我介紹: | |||||||
■延伸閱讀 |
2012年2月22日 星期三
何謙亮文庫 1924年 仁安醫院
櫃內有張1924年的 仁安醫院 照片 當時的藏書地
歷史與地位 | |
仁安醫院位於延平北路及涼州街口,區位相當重要, 日治時期延平北路為聯繫台北城到大龍峒、淡水的南 北幹道,涼州街則為聯絡河阜與城內的通道,仁安醫 院白色面磚及古典山牆的外觀,呈現出鮮明的歷史街 區景觀。創立人柯謙諒醫師民國16年在此設立西式醫 學診所,且因其為大台北少數台籍人士開設之醫療診 所,具有時代意義。 民國90年初,仁安醫院原屋主柯賢忠與柯陳美英夫婦 ,徒步經過保安街與重慶北路,見到一棟保留日治時 期優美紅磚與洗石子外牆立面的大樓,懷抱改建仁安 | |
醫院意念的他們,打聽到了林長勳建築師,建築師向業主提出全棟保存、騎樓保存 、立面保存及仿建等四個方案。市府為鼓勵保存,通過了一項關鍵性的法令修改, 允許大道呈歷史風貌特色專用區內歷史性建築得整修維護後,將合建之容積移轉到 全市其他地區,在這種情況下重新權衡各方案之利弊得失,建築師說服業主放棄改 建並同意容積移轉,使建築物朝向全棟保存及捐贈方式進行,並在柯賢忠先生過世 前,將三代所居的這棟老房子捐贈給臺北市政府,也促成了仁安醫院作為全台灣第 一間全棟完整保存並捐贈的醫生館,在臺北市都市發展、公共衛生、地區醫療歷史 上都有相當的意義。 |
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柯家家族行醫歷史 | |
根據幾次與原屋主柯太太的訪談,瞭解到不少有關 柯家家族發跡,柯謙諒及柯賢忠醫師父子的求學及 行醫歷程: (1) 柯家家族遷徙及發跡事略根據家族親友之間 的傳說與回憶,柯家先祖來台乃起源於一位寡母帶 著三子渡海來台,逐漸傳衍後代,枝葉繁盛,直至 第六代柯郎(柯謙諒之父),於今大稻埕及台北橋 一帶開墾水田並種植茉莉花。 由於柯家家族與淡水馬偕博士之家家族後代有姻親 關係,也深深影響柯家與基督教及從醫之淵源。 |
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(2) 柯謙諒創辦仁安醫院 | |
仁安醫院創建者柯謙諒,從小積極好學 ,在協助父親從事田園工作 之餘不忘精進,因此常常邊踩水車邊讀書。 就讀太平國語學校後考取台灣總督府醫學校(帝國大學醫學院前身) 公費生,畢業後展開行醫事業,曾跟隨當地的資深醫生工作。而後因 醫院事業日漸興旺,遂購買現址土地,興建仁安醫院並自行開業。由 看診內容來看,柯謙諒醫師可謂是博而廣的綜合科醫生類型包括小兒 科、牙科、婦產科、耳科乃至花柳性病等無所不包,最擅長且負盛名 之處在於處理難產,有多次救助難產病例。 | |
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2012年2月18日 星期六
Valencia
自幼在台東,
我們從不稱柳丁,都稱「巴連謝」/請用台語唸。
幾年前,學西班牙語,恍然大悟,
巴連謝,應該就是瓦倫西亞,Valencia的日本話的台灣化,
瓦倫西亞品種的柳橙。 http://blog.roodo.com/michaelcarolina/archives/18964470.html
2012年2月13日 星期一
德累斯顿
2月13日,德累斯顿纪念该市在二战末期被盟军的空袭摧毁。多年来,极右翼势力也借这个日子来为自己的目的服务,但他们的声势在逐渐削弱。
(德国之声中文网)1945年2月13日晚间22点,数百架盟军-大部分是英国轰炸机出现在德累斯顿上空。在短短15分钟内,市区的四分之三就被炸成一片废墟。几小时后,第二轮空袭又从天而降,德累斯顿陷入一片硝烟大火。该市有2万居民葬身火海。
德累斯顿因其巴洛克式古建筑被称为易北河畔的佛罗伦萨。对于摧毁这座城市在军事上的意义,历史学家们一直有争议。但这次空袭无疑给纳粹德国坚持战斗的决心带来了沉重的一击,3个月后,第三帝国无条件投降。
空袭后的德累斯顿
教堂钟声
每年2月13日,德累斯顿所有教堂都会鸣钟纪念这个日子。但1998年以来,极右翼分子也利用这个日子大搞活动,否认德国的战争罪行和对犹太人的屠杀。这样的活动一开始只有几百人参加,到后来发展为大型集会。最多时曾有6500人加入所谓的"悼念游行",穿越市中心。
为了制止年复一年的右翼势力沉渣泛起,德累斯顿和周边地区的居民聚集起来与之抗衡。2011年,约15000人拉起了反对极右翼的"人链",一个名为"德 累斯顿不要纳粹"的组织发起了大型静坐示威,阻止右翼团体的游行。其间示威者与警察发生了激烈的肢体冲突。萨克森州政府认为,与得到批准的右翼游行不同, 以反制为目的的静坐示威是违法行为。
社会各界支持静坐
后来据媒体报道,去年2月13日,安全部门对静坐示威者以有关人群进行了大规模手机通话监听,不仅涉及和平示威者,连根本没有参与的周边居民也被"一网打 尽"。萨克森州政府部门因此被指责将反新纳粹的群众"刑事犯罪化"。德国犹太人中央理事会主席克拉默(Staphan Kramer)称这是"扭曲法律",并明确表示支持静坐示威。
德国穆斯林中央理事会也对这种形式的抗议表达了支持。德国联邦议院中,来自左翼党、社民党和绿党的三位土耳其裔议员共同起草了一份呼吁书,呼吁生活在德国的移民积极参与反极右翼活动。
德累斯顿市民反新纳粹游行(摄于2002年5月)
德国的天主教和福音教主教们也发表联合声明,呼吁对右翼极端主义采取抗议行动。声明称,鉴于去年11月曝光的"国家社会主义地下党"制造的系列谋杀事件, 在今年这个日子对德累斯顿以外的民众发出反右翼恐怖的明确信号,显得尤为重要。但并不是两大教会的所有代表都赞同呼吁静坐示威的行动。
极右翼力量陷入被动
在德累斯顿轰炸纪念日5天后,2月18日,一个由政界、工会和教会组成的行动联盟将组织一次与新纳粹唱反调的集会,名为"勇气、尊重、宽容-德累斯顿亮出颜色"。
今年的极右翼集会规模和声势将不如往年。安全问题专家指出,这显示了右翼势力圈子内部的挫败感和分化。在新纳粹系列谋杀案被曝光后,极右翼势力陷入了被动局面,对极右翼的国家民主党来说也是如此。该党在德国两个州议会占有议席,有关是否禁止该党的讨论正在热烈进行。
作者:Marcel Fürstenau 编译:叶宣
责编:谢菲
2012年2月3日 星期五
Travel Guide: Taipei/ Hotel Review: W Taipei
Check In, Check Out
Hotel Review: W Taipei
By DAN LEVIN
Published: February 3, 2012
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Travel Guide: Taipei
This fashionable perch from which to explore Taipei has enough amenities that you may wish to stay in. Doubles from $300; suites up to $13,000.
THE BASICS
Taiwan’s economy boomed in the 1980s, but the recent, rapid rise of China, its neighbor and historic enemy, has been a windfall for this island and its capital, Taipei. Wealthy mainlanders are now arriving in droves, and they need somewhere to drop off their shopping bags. With that in mind, the 405-room W Taipei opened last year in a gleaming stainless-steel tower adorned in scarlet neon lights.
LOCATION
In Taipei’s bustling central business district, right in the middle of the action, a few blocks from the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Taipei 101, the world’s second-tallest building. Nearby subway stations mean you can be whisked to the city’s shopping districts and mountain hot springs.
THE ROOM
My 24th-floor “Wonderful” room took full advantage of Taipei’s urban landscape: floor-to-ceiling windows looked over the city and mountains beyond, though there was no view of Taipei 101 (those rooms cost more). The décor could be described as luxury Ikea: white lacquer, burnished wood, floral carpeting and whimsical elements, like three tubular tables topped by faux tree rings, by a comfortable chaise. The king bed was deliciously plush and faced a 42-inch plasma TV set over a long desk. Wi-Fi was 400 Taiwanese dollars for 24 hours ($14 at 30 Taiwanese dollars to the dollar), but access is limited to three devices, and a glitch required the concierge to reset it. The minibar included a carnival-size lollipop, a CD of chill-out remixes, Champagne flutes and a package of sexy pantyhose with the exhortation “be bad.”
THE BATHROOM
The marble floor in the entryway continued into the open bathroom (which can be closed off by sliding doors). A cramped cell enclosed the toilet, but its futuristic features will distract you from your claustrophobia: the lid opened automatically and a wall panel at seat level was full of buttons — labeled “cleanser,” “soft pressure,” “pulse” — that controlled the ablutions (as in a bidet). The rainfall shower and tub were separated from the sink area by a tinted-glass half-door. Bliss toiletries were in the shower and on the sink, though the shelf left little room for dopp kits.
AMENITIES
The front entrance, with its throbbing electronic soundtrack, seems like a party in full swing, but most of the action, including check-in, happens in the 10th floor lobby. There, guests gather by the front desk with their luggage or relax in a lounge filled with trampoline-size banquettes and lipstick-red leather couches, where you can snack on sugary confections by day and sip cocktails by night, when it turns into a packed club. A stunning 82-foot heated pool has an outdoor wet bar. There are two restaurants, the Kitchen Table, which serves a range of cuisines and a mediocre breakfast buffet, and Yen, a high-end Chinese restaurant.
ROOM SERVICE
After a night on the town, I returned to my room at 3 a.m. famished, so I ordered room service, which is available 24 hours a day (except the breakfast menu). My cheeseburger and a pastrami Reuben sandwich, which came with fries and a light salad, arrived in 30 minutes and really hit the spot.
BOTTOM LINE
Smack in the heart of a city that can be discombobulating for foreigners, the W Taipei provides familiar, luxurious comfort in flawless English. Strenuously hip if mildly pretentious, it strives to make you feel part of the in-crowd, but it doesn’t come cheap.
W Taipei, 10 Zhongxiao East Road Sec. 5, Xinyi District; (886-2) 7703-8888; wtaipei.com. DAN LEVIN