The country still faces a war and grave problem in the form of Taliban insurgents and other terrorist groups but hope is still what its people believe in.

In a country where three workers do work to construct a road and six policemen protect them, rebuilding must be a hard task. The insurgents frequently attack on road constructing companies, clinics, schools and laborers. Still the photos below shows a new look of different parts of different provinces including Kandahar, the former stronghold of the Taliban, which brings hope to people.

Reconstruction

A site near a famous shrine in Kandahar that is now beautifully constructed. Hundreds of people visit the shrine every day and then come here for a relaxation.

Beauty

This beautiful dam is in the Bamyan province where the Taliban had demolished two historical Buddha statues.

Greenery

A view of Nengrahar's Noor Valley which is located between Kunar and Jalalabad. This valley is famous for its greenery.

Dance

People enjoy traditional music and dance. Extremists had banned this during their rule.

Music

People enjoy the traditional Afghan music. Extremists had banned these activities during their widely condemned rule.

Women

Shukriya Barakzai, Member of Parliament, is speaking in a public meeting. Though there are still many barriers and problems for women, it is a very big development that they now can participate in every walk of life.

It is a country that has been blessed with many tourist attractions, its ministry of tourism was created in the 1970's to encourage investment in this sector. Tourist attractions include amongst others; wildlife parks, highlands, lakes, Mankon Fondom (kingdom) and museums.

Despite government's efforts over the past decade to boost the sector, its growth has been hampered by poor infrastructure and mis-administration. However, this has not deterred foreigners from visiting the country's attractions.

Tourists Climbing Mount Cameroon

One of the main sites that attracts many foreigners and nationals alike is "Mount Cameroon" also known as "Mount Fako". It is situated in Buea, in the Fako division of the South West province of the country.

It measures 4100 kilometres, the highest point in Central Africa and the second highest point in Africa after Mount Kilamanjaro in Kenya. The mountain rises from the coast through tropical rainforest to a bare summit which is cold, windy and occasionally brushed with snow.

The Mount Cameroon forests are under threat from uncontrolled forest exploitation and encroachment for agricultural production. A population of approximately 350,000 people live within its immediate vicinity, around half of this population live in the urban settlements of Limbe and Buea.

The Bakweri, Bomboko and Balundu people traditionally live on and around the mountain, together with the coastal Bimbia clans; the livelihoods of these people are directly or indirectly supplemented through the harvesting of the forests resources such as timber and non-timber products such as removing bark for medicines, gathering wild vegetables, collecting rattans for making furniture and hunting.

The mountain has erupted six times in the previous century, the latest recorded eruption was in March/ April 1999. During the eruption, the lava flow destroyed farmlands in localities found on the slope of the mountain such as Bakingili, Batoke and Upper farms.

In local folklore the God of the mountain is known as Efasah Moto, it's believed to be composed of two halves, i.e. man and stone; it is also believed that it takes care of people by providing them with water, shelter and food during their journey up and down the mountain. Visitors are allowed to harvest what they can consume while on the mountain but are not allowed to take away anything provided by Efasah Moto. Belief in the God provides an interesting cultural link to ecotourism and sustainable use of resources.

Apart from individuals or groups who go for excursions on the mountain, there is an annual international race that is organised by the Government known as the "Mount Cameroon Race of Hope". The initiative was started in 1995 by the company that brews Guinness.

The race usually brings together hundreds of athletes with scores of them coming from abroad. The starting point of the race is the Molyko Omnisport stadium and participants pass through upper farms, huts 1,2 & 3 before reaching the summit and returning back to the starting point. Participants are divided into male and female categories, they are then further sub-divided into professionals, youths, and amateurs.

The first winner of the male category usually takes just over four hours to complete the race while that for the female category usually takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes. Prize money is in the region of two thousand pounds.

During the New Year, a special selection of dishes called osechi is eaten. Many of the food items in these dishes represent prosperity, good fortune and health. A soup called ozoni, consisting of miso, glutinous rice dumplings and vegetables is made for the holiday, too. More popular foods are knotted boiled kelp, fish cakes, mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts, simmered burdoek root, and sweetened black soybeans. Sashami and Sushi are also enjoyed, as well as some non-Japanese food. Many of these meals are sweet, sour or dried so they can be kept without refrigeration. On the seventh day of January a seven herb-rice soup is made, to let the over worked stomach rest. If you're into munching out during the holidays, Japan is defiantly the place to be.

In Japanese culture, it is a custom to send postcards for the New Year to friends and relatives. The original purpose of these traditional cards is to give far away friends and relatives tidings of yourself and of your immediate family. They are sent so they arrive on the first of January, no sooner or later. But it is customary not to send a card if one has had a death in the family that year. In this case, a simple postcard is sent instead, to show respect for the deceased. Cards have always been a good way to the spread holiday cheer, from here in Canada all the way to Japan.

A holiday just isn't a holiday without fun and games. Although some of these games are less popular than they used to be, Japan has not completely forgotten. Young children, and even some adults indulge themselves in a good game of Hanetsuki, which is Japanese badminton. Takoage is kite flying, and karuta is a type of card game. Both of these games bring smiles to the faces of many people celebrating. A spinning top, called a Koma, is also used for fun. But the most traditional game of all is Fuku warai. In this game, a blind folded person is given paper cut outs of facial features. They have to try to put them all on a paper cut out head. It is sort of like the Japanese version of the North American game called Pin The Tail On The Donkey. Without games, the New Years just wouldn't be the same.

Celebrating the New Year includes paying attention to the first time something is done in a new year. Many Japanese people will drive to the coast or climb a mountain on January first so they can see the Hatsuhinode, which is the first sunrise. Hatsumode is the first trip made to a temple or shrine, and is usually done just after midnight on January first. If the weather is good, a lot of people will wear their kimonos to the shrines. Other firsts that are important to the Japanese are Shigoto-hajime (first work of the new year), keikp-hajime (first practice of the new year), and hatsu-yume (first dream of the new year). To the Japanese, the firsts of a new year are very important and are rarely ever missed out on.

Overall, the Japanese New Year is a festive celebration. Traditions are important, and they show this while they celebrate. Foods, postcards, games, and special firsts are customs that will be rejoiced for years to come. In my opinion, the best time to travel to Japan would be during Shogatsu. A little bit of culture never hurt anyone.

Transport:

You can easily catch a plane from Oakland International Airport or go by bus or train to San Francisco, or San Jose, there are also a number of bike paths, and of course the Internal shuttle service.

The City is already more than 100 years old taking its name from a majestic 1000-year-old Redwood tree by the San Francisquito Creek, where many years ago saw the first Spanish Explores.

The mixture of tree lined streets and being the centre of cutting edge Technology makes this city vibrant and alive yet at the same time steeped in history. It also owns its own gas, electric; water and sewer, refuse, and storm drain services, which it gives to its customers for a very lucrative rate. It is known as birthplace of Silicone Valley and prides its self on the 31-mile ring for ultra fast Internet.

It has a excellent business community, the residents are of a high education, politically aware and culturally sophisticated. This gives the residents a great deal of pride in its delightful historic and modern commercial and residential areas.

There are a total of 34b parks in Palo Alto, which makes sure that they keep plenty of open space for the younger generation to play in and the older generation to relax in.

There is plenty to entertain you with bird watching and its marine life. This gives a great setting in which to work or reside. This city has a median household income of more than double the national figure.

Shopping:

Stanford shopping centre offers you Bloomingdale's, and Tiffany's, with boutiques and galleries there's bound to be something for everyone. It does not matter if it's business or pleasure you're sure to be pleased.

Restaurants:

There are numerous Bistros nestled amidst the galleries and boutiques as well as the more upmarket Il Fornaio that cater for every ones taste.

Got children with you well take them to the junior museum and zoo or to the children's theatre where they will have performances and activities for all age groups. There is always something new to see, and some unexpected pleasure to be found.

1. Auckland-Wellington: Five direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39 one way. Usual fares will start from $69 one way on the net.
2. Auckland-Christchurch: Two direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39 one way. Usual fares will start from $79 one way on the net.
3. Wellington-Christchurch: Three direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39 one way. Usual fares will start from $59 one way on the net.

Encouraging Better Prices

These prices will still make kiwis feel better and maybe allow students to go home between semesters. The new prices are still about $20 cheaper, per ticket than previous prices offered which is a 20% saving. Southern students have been disadvantaged in comparison to their northern peers, in respect of keeping in touch with parents, friends and family because of the cost of traveling.

It has been a longstanding joke to Kiwi's because it has generally been cheaper to fly from Auckland to Sydney rather than Auckland to Christchurch. It is easier to leave the country rather than settle here. The scenery is stunning in New Zealand and it upsets many traveled Kiwi's that for some New Zealanders there is more opportunity to get set up and financial in another country rather than in New Zealand.

It seems that another airline eying up our skies is Tiger Airways from Singapore. They are due to commence business in Australia in November. Air New Zealand has stated that the market is too small in New Zealand for three domestic airlines.

There was another company that has also put its plans on hold, Kiwijet, who are based in Nelson who were hoping to fill the space left by Origin Pacific, the company that collapsed a year ago. All interest in the skies around New Zealand could mean a major overhaul in general and that could mean better services and prices in general for Kiwi travelers.

Ok, First the Common Informations!

The Green Goose exist since 1984.

Times

open on Fridays from 9.00p.m till 5.00 a.m and saturdays from 9.00p.m till 5.00a.m!

Where is it?

The streets name is "Vordere Sterngasse".

When you are at the main train station just walk out next to the Sparkasse and walk straight to the first street that goes right. Go right and then you can see the green door lights already!

If you come with a car parking is not a problem, because right across the street is a big "Parkhaus", where you can leave your car all night, but it costs a little bit. But if you get lucky you can find a place to park around the building at no cost.

Prices

The prices are like in every other bar or disco in Nuremberg. A beer costs around 3 euro. And there is the happy hour where every shot cost 1 euro and this happy hour is mostly from 9.00 till midnight. And you will need 3 euro to get in, but from 3.00 a.m it is free! Sometimes there are special partys like the monster ball on Halloween with Go Go Girls and special prices for drinks! And befor I forget the Green Goose sells buckets with mix drinks for about 30 euros with 5 liters of fun in them!

Who Works There?

The bartender are very nice and like to talk to the people. It is hard to not give them a tip! The bouncer are doing a very good job, as soon as someone starts being loud and aggressive they kick him or her out! It is very rare to see a fight or argument in the club. Which make a very good atmosphere in the Green Goose!

What Kind of People Go There?

You can meet every kind of people there! From a goth to a rocker to a hip hopper, many American soldiers go there, but everybody just wants to have fun and make new friends. The Green Goose is one of the bars where you don't have to be afraid to go there alone and sit on the bar for hours until someone talks to you! Most of the time it just takes about a half hour! And if you start talking to someone it is even faster! And don't worry almost everybody speaks English! So everybody is welcome and if you go there often enough you will feel like a part of a party-family!

The Music

The music is like the people that go there every music style is played! Rock, Hip hop, Alternative, soft music! And if you have a special wish you can just go up to the DJ and ask him to play your song and most of the time he does it but sometimes he doesn't get to it, but he will play it the next day or the next weekend!

Hygiene

To be honest it is not the cleanest club you will ever find, but it's not worse than any other place I know. It starts around 3.00 that the floor gets a little sticky, because some people have a hard time holding their glass up right when they get drunk, but it happens to everybody once in a while! The toilettes are ok like I said it's not worse than anywhere else. For the women: it is not so bad that you would have to stand up while you go pee so it is alright. But I'm sorry I can't tell you anything about the mens bathroom! Never been in there!

What I Think

Ok I personally love this club, because I found my husband in there! And if you want to have a good time and find some new friends or just want o talk to new people this would be the right club for you! Oh and just because you think you are to old to go there, don't worry there are some people that are older than 50 and you will see them there every weekend and they are as much fun as the younger people! So try it out you wont regret it! I promise!

For more information go to Green-Goose.de