29/02/2008

#60 - The spring has just arrived to my mothers balcony!


Dedicated to spring and mothers :)

28/02/2008

#59 - Wonderful light :)

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6 PM

27/02/2008

#58 - 3 in 1

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"The 25th of April Bridge, also known as Bridge over the Tagus (Ponte sobre o Tejo), was inaugurated in 1966 with the name “Salazar Bridge”, the dictator who had it built. It was later renamed to commemorate the “Carnation Revolution” that happened on the 25th of April 1974. This was a day of "bloodless revolution." In the Carnation Revolution, the soldiers placed carnations in the muzzles of their rifles as they led the revolt against the world's longest dictatorship. This suspension bridge is very similar in appearance to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It is 2.278km long and leaves Lisbon at high level above Alcântara and makes landfall at Almada on the southern bank of the river. Particularly busy during weekends, traffic jams can be avoided by taking the recently-built Vasco da Gama bridge or leaving your car on a parking lot and taking the train that passes on the under side of the bridge since 1999.
On the Almada side you will be able to see the towering monument of Cristo Rei, similar to the Redentor in Brazil, overlooking the Tagus. If you wish to go there, a lift will take you up 82m to the top of the pedestal, offering excellent views of the city and the river

The Monument to the Discoveries was inaugurated in 1960 during celebrations of the 500 year anniversary of the death of the Infant D. Henrique (Henry the Navigator). It evoques the maritime expansion and is designed in the shape of a caravel, showing Henry the Navigator at the prow holding a small caravel, as well as many relevant heroes of Portuguese history (Vasco da Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral - discoverer of Brazil - Fernão Magalhães - who crossed the Pacific in1520 -, the writer Camões and many others). Seen from the huge mariners compass this monument fascinates visitors with its impressiveness and its 50 metres height. It is visited by millions of people each year. Cut into the paving stone, the compass was a present from the Republic of South Africa in 1960 and it's best seen from the top of the Monument to the Discoveries, that you can access by elevator located inside the building. The central map, depicting galleons and mermaids, shows the routes of the discoverers in the 15th and 16th centuries.It is located in Belém, on the bank of the River Tagus, in an unique monumental area and looks particularly dramatic in the light of the late afternoon sun. "
Font: Lisbon - The Complete Holiday Destination Guide
You can also see the Flag of Lisbon. A gyronny of four parts of black and four of white.

26/02/2008

#57 - Trapped

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Trapped between walls! That's like I'm feeling now working all day and attend college at night. I do not have any free time left. I will try and keep posting everyday but I can not comment or visit your blogs with such regularity. I will do my best and visit you at weekends until middle of June.

Photo taken to the Cultural Centre of Belém. I dont know why but I love these walls.

25/02/2008

#56 - Balcony

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Can you imagine such a small balcony with so much inside?

24/02/2008

#55 - Pop Stencil

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Collage...open to interpretation :)

23/02/2008

#54 - More sidewalks

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More sidewalks from Lisbon aka Calçada Portuguesa.

22/02/2008

#53 - Colorful Lisbon

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Paulo Santos's photo
The Madragoa is a popular neighborhood of Lisbon, near the Tagus river, whose name comes from the presence in times of the Convent of the Madres de Goa. The legend mind that the neighborhood was born of the thousands of grains of sand that the seagulls transported to there. The origin of the name is lost in time. Some people say that the word refers to the nickname of a fidalga from Madeira Island "Mandragam" or that comes from "Mother of Goa." Before the earthquake, in XVll century, the district had the name "Moçambo" and was not more than a small town inhabited mainly by people of African origin. In the past, part of Madragoa was a cluster of convents and palaces, where they lived the Trinas, Bernardas or Inglezinhas. But were the workers who gave life to the neighborhood. Among the XVlll and XlX centuries, the population significantly changed. At that time, many people came to Lisbon from the region of the Ria de Aveiro, in particular from Ovar, hence the name ovarinas. Subsequently, most of these people have chosen to stay in Madragoa. Most were married, fishermen and varinas. Among many of the architectural works of Madragoa was the Palace of the Dukes of Aveiro, the House of the Marquis de Abrantes and older and modest chapels of Lisbon, the Mártires. Also there is the Embassy of France, where Gil Vicente (after St. George's Castle), initiated the Portuguese theater.

21/02/2008

#52 - Ponte Vasco da Gama

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Paulo Santos 's photo
"The Vasco da Gama Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge flanked by viaducts and roads that spans the Tagus River near Lisbon, capital of Portugal. It is the longest bridge in Europe (including viaducts), with a total length of 17.2 km (10.7 mi), including 0.829 km (0.5 mi) for the main bridge, 11.5 km (7.1 mi) in viaducts, and 4.8 km (3.0 mi) in dedicated access roads. Its purpose is to alleviate the congestion on Lisbon's other bridge (25 de Abril Bridge), and to join previously unconnected motorways radiating from Lisbon.
The bridge was opened to traffic on March 29, 1998, 18 months after construction first began, just in time for Expo 98, the World's Fair that celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery by Vasco da Gama of the sea route from Europe to India."

20/02/2008

#51 - Santo antão

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"Santo Antão was one of the founders of the monastery and is also called Anthony of Egypt. He was born in Fayum, in Egypt near Heracleopolis Magna in 251. Anthony went to a mountain in Pispir (now Deir el-Memum) and was there in a solitary life for 20 years. In 305 DC, Anthony emerged with great force and health. He was with the eremitas for 5 years, regulating the community work, prayers and penitence. Then he went to a desert between the Nile and the Red Sea, in a place called Mount Kalzim. A monastery, called Diem Mar Antonios, was erected on this site. This period of incarceration was not so restricted as the previous, because Anthony went to Alexandria in 311 comfort the martyrs of persecution that was happening at the time and he returned years later to argue vigorously against heresy ariana side by side of St. Athanasius of Alexandria . Antônio not alone in the desert. He had company and disciples. Anthony became known as a good man generous, courageous, with good sense and fair without any excess and ostentation. St. Athanasius has the credit of having done a biography of Anthony account that the details of their trials, suffering and miracles. Anthony was a friend of Sao Paulo, Thebes, called the "hermit" which received half of bread per day crows. Does the tradition that when Antonio was visiting him, the crows brought a whole bread. The Emperor Constantine, the Great (323-337) was one of thousands who sought Antonio for lessons and inspiration. Anthony wrote several letters and sermons to young eremitas. The life of Antonio, described by St. Athanaius also saved many of the sermons and speeches of Antônio. A monastic rule dated from that era is credited as having their ideals, their thoughts and their beliefs. Antonio died on January 17 of 365 and was buried in a pit not marked as his request, but in its 561 relics were discovered and he was transferred to Alexandria, Constantinople. La Motte, the house matrix of the Order of Hospitallers of St. Anthony, founded in 1100, states that has its relics. However, the scholars believe the matter, that the relics of St. Anthony of Sarracenos have been saved in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in 635 DC. Relics of this saint are also considered as being in Siena, Italy and Burngundy, France. He is the patron of several orders and the Knights of St. Anthony and also of the poor, the sick, the butchers and domestic animals. He is invoked against fires and pests. He died with on January 17, 356 with 105 years."

Text taken/stolen from the blog Documentos.

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On the Rua Portas de Santo Antão I had encounter these tiles on opposite sides of the street. One for a cantine and another to a house of antiques. But what drew my attention was the pork at his feet and the symbols that were used: In liturgical church art he is shown as a monk of the Order of Saint Anthony. The pork and bell are associated with it as a result of the Order of Hospitallers of St. Anthony seems that the pigs then won the privilege to walk on the streets of the city. Members of the Order rang the bell to ask for souls. St. Anthony is also displayed with a cover T and a bell, the symbol of the hermit.

19/02/2008

#50 - Details

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Some details of the Jerónimos Monastery .

18/02/2008

#49 - History Lost

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Front door

The National Museum of Archaeology "A centenary institution of Portuguese Culture" located in the Jerónimos Monastery .

Today’s National Museum of Archaeology (MNA) was founded in 1893 by Dr. José Leite de Vasconcelos. In more than a century of existence this Museum became a reference institution of Portuguese archaeology, with regular correspondence with museums, universities and research centres all over the World. The Museum’s collections gather the Founder’s first collections and those of Estácio da Veiga. Many other have been added, some come from other State departments (for example: archaeology collections of the old Portuguese Royal House, integrated in the Museum after the settlement of the Republic; archaeology collections of the former Beaux Arts Museum, incorporated when today’s National Museum of Ancient Art was created; etc.), another ones come from donations or legacies of collectors and devoted friends of the Museum; others come from the intense field work activity developed by the Museum or by other archaeologists; another ones from government dispatches, within the law, whenever archaeological finds in the Country are thought of national value.Besides the exhibitions, the Museum offers society (Portuguese and foreign) several other services. Conceived by its founder to be a kind of "Museum of the Portuguese Man", the MNA still follows the same basic vocation, that is, to account for the history of the settlement of our territory, from the beginning to the foundation of the nationality. It is the only institution in Portugal capable of doing it: because of its collections, its technical resources, its location in the Jerónimos Monastery (actual meeting point of nationals and foreigners), with special prominence to the schools from across the Country, which fully occupy the Museum's education department, yearly.

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History Lost: An exhibition about the illicit trade of antiquities in the world.

Institutional organization: Hellenic Foundation for Culture.

Type of exhibition:International Cooperation Exhibition.

The removal of the Parthenon Marbles by Lord Elgin, in 1801, is famous. What is less well known is the extent of the looting of archaeological sites around the world today: that the majority of antiquities, which appear for sale on the art market, have been illegally dug and smuggled out of their country of origin.The steadily increasing number of museums in the U.S. and the rising demand for antiquities by private collectors in Europe, North America, Japan and Australia have exhausted the supply of legal antiquities. Few objects of the old collections, built up during the eighteenth century, are appearing on the market. The trade relies mainly on trafficking, theft and pillage. In contrast to the Elgin Marbles, the context and provenance of these objects will never be known. We will never know why they were created and what they have to say about our past. Taken out of context, they have lost their historical value. The escalating plunder of the world's archaeological heritage has not gone unnoticed by the international community. In 1970, UNESCO adopted the "Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property". In 1972, after its ratification by four countries, the Convention went into effect. Today, 109 countries have adopted the Convention. The U.S. signed in 1983, Great-Britain in 2003.After the UNESCO Convention, museums, collectors and dealers still trading in antiquities of unknown provenance, began to use forged documents to cover their activities. As it was becoming increasingly difficult for western museums to buy antiquities, new large private collections were formed, containing previously unseen antiquities of unknown provenance. These collections, in turn, were exhibited, borrowed or bought by important museums in the West. Although the acquisitions made by large museums have been widely criticised, looting in Africa, Asia and Latin America has become more destructive due to the rise of art market prices. In Greece for example, due to the extensive looting of the Cyclades, we have lost the chance to find out more about the use and role of Cycladic idols and the history of these islands during the Bronze Age. Similarly, the destruction of Cyprus's cultural heritage intensified after the Turkish invasion. The antiquities trade spiralled out of control in the occupied northern part of Cyprus. It is estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 Byzantine icons, mosaics and wall-paintings have been stolen.

17/02/2008

#48 - Pasteis de Belém


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In 1837, the baking of the 'Pasteis de Belém' was begun in buildings joined to the refinery, following the ancient 'secret recipe' from the monastery. Passed on and known exclusively to the master confectioners who hand-crafted the pastries in the 'secrets room', this recipe remained unchanged to the present day. In fact, the only true 'Pasteis de Belém' contrive, by means of a scrupulous selection of ingredients, to offer even today the flavour of the ancient portuguese confectionary industry.

16/02/2008

#47 - "Yeah, it's been a hard day's night"

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Paulo Santos 's photo

It was taken in December in a garden of Parque das Nações

15/02/2008

#46 - Love & Numbers

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Robert Indiana in Lisbon.
Public art exhibition where you can cross with 14 pieces belonging to the series "One Through Zero".
"Some people like to paint trees," he said. "I like to paint love. I find it more meaningful than painting trees."

14/02/2008

#45 - The only way to build a memory is through sharing ...

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... and I had no time for it!

Today was especially tiring. I couldn't visit your blogs. Tomorrow or during the weekend I will find time to do so. It is by sharing that magic happens. The fatigue squeezes with the work all day and night classes. I am so tired that I can't think no more so I leave here this photo of a nice weekend I had before. Tomorrow I'll try to portray a scene of the day: The lovers! (I hope). Have a very Happy Valentine's Day!!

13/02/2008

#44 - The rapprochement

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"In 1496 King Manuel I petitioned the Holy See for permission to build a large monastery at the entrance to Lisbon on the banks of the Tagus River. Construction began in 1501 and the work was finished about a century later. The reason for building the Jerónimos Monastery lie, without doubt, in the wish of the monarch to reunite the Avis-Beja dynasty, of which he was the first, in a National Pantheon.
The Jerónimos Monastery is generally referred to as the "jewel" of Manueline architecture. The unique and beautiful Manueline style draws together architectural elements of the late Gothic and Renaissance periods, and associates them with the symbols of the king, Christianity and the natural world.
King Manuel I poured large sums of money into the building of the Monastery at Belém. A good part of what was called the "the pepper tax" (approximately 5% of the receipts from the spice trade with Africa and the East, the equivalent of 70kg of gold per year) served to pay for the work, which, from the beginning, was strictly dependent on the King. In the 19th century architectural changes were made to the Monastery. These did not change its basic structure, but gave it the form we know today. A cupola bell chamber, the dormitory (today the Archaeological Museum) and the Chapter House were some of the places, which were, altered the most."

12/02/2008

#43 - Hard Rock Café

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In a recovered cinema Condes, the two floors of the Hard Rock in Lisbon receive the best rock in decades. I am not a fan but I think it was a positive recovery of the building and has a beautiful evening visual effect.

What city doesn´t have a Hard Rock Cafe?

11/02/2008

#42 - Detailed facade of Museu Nacional dos Coches

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"The National Coach Museum houses and exhibits, under an exquisite ambiance of the old Royal Riding Arena of Belém Palace, an exceptional collection of ceremonial vehicles from the Royal family, dating from 17th Century to late19th Century.Considered the most remarkable collection in the world of this kind, it allows the visitor to follow both the technical evolution of animal pulled transport and the changes of taste expressed in the decorative arts and vehicle ornaments.
The National Coach Museum is one of the most visited museums in Portugal and certainly of Lisbon."

I prefer its façade!
I dedicate this post to The D in D & T & The T in D & T from Athens [Perspective] for their kindness helpfull in my blogger templates :)

10/02/2008

#41 - Pelourinho dos Távora


This Pillory is built on a small alley and is partially visible from the main street where houses were built around it. In this alley you can also find a little and quiet restaurant :)

In September 1758, the king D. José suffered an attack. Since then, it has developed a process of prosecution to some families of the Kingdom, particularly the Duke of Aveiro and the Marquis of Távora, persecution that culminated in a trial and an execution in which exceeded all limits of barbarism imaginable. Without opponents, the Marquis de Pombal could freely exercise their power. In January 1759, the Távoras were executed in Belém, in Chão Salgado, where even today there is this pillory.

09/02/2008

#40 - A Lighthouse in Belém


I had never noticed it until two days ago.
It is the difference between the distracted look and another one with a camera in your pocket!

Photo taken from the CCB garden overlooking Tagus river.
I dedicate this post to Sailor Girl and Le Guilvinec !

08/02/2008

#39- Sexy art?




What do you think? Do I have a perverse mind?
Art in the Olive Trees Garden in CCB.

07/02/2008

#38 - Néctar


The Berardo Collection Museum is located at the Center of Exhibitions of the Centro Cultural de Belém Founded by José Berardo, is a permanent museum with temporary exhibitions, a partnership public - private, geared to a diverse audience with the aim of developing and encouraging habits of artistic enjoyment, integrating Lisbon in an area of cultural tourism. This space was amended and its relationship with the outside world enhanced. It has been adapted to contemporary existing architecture in order to find a dialogue between the space and art that incorporates. In their logic is the exploitation of art of the century XX and XXI little cultivated so far in Portugal, is looking well fill the gap, making known the evolution of art during this period, as well as promoting dialogue between the works of art through a cross look on the various trends, movements and techniques. Demand is attracting the public through a diverse organization of the works in seven clusters: Autonomy; Power of Color; Reeinvented Figure; Minimalisms; Pop & Ca; Surrealism, and More In addition, which has a turn over of three months. Thus the existing 856 works only 150 are exposed. Over that we could discover from exposure, it presents itself to us as a catalog of the panorama of artistic creation of the century XX and XXI, especially European and American, trying however to give prominence to the late artistic creation ports. A travel between games and the surreal dreams, the conscious and aware of the artists, the techniques of chance not controlled by the mind, by the introduction of a 4 th dimension, time, in the painting by Picasso, for psychoanalysis, the analysis of dreams, the eroticism, a society of consumption, the voyeurism, the representations of language, the aura of the objects of everyday life when they go for the artistic context, etc., via the Surrealism, Pop Art, abstrakt Arte , New Objectivity, Minimalism, Conceptualism and Arte Povera. On the exterior of the exhibition there is a double work of about seven metres from the artist Joana Vasconcelos, a feminist version of the famous "Le Porte Bouteilles" Marcel Duchamp. Entry of each of the cores can be found explanatory leaflets in Portuguese, English and French as well as writings on the wall the pink or green, if they relate to a class chronological or thematic, respectively. The objects are presented only for visual and consists of painting, sculpture, photography, video, books and documents. The works are exhibited on the wall, showcases, as well as on the floor. The expositive criteria is chronological and thematic, giving all works the same narrative importance regardless of its value.

06/02/2008

#37 - Maxime


Maxime was a luxury cabaret, there came the King of Spain and elements of the great Portuguese families. In recent times was delivered to the underworld of prostitution. Then through a more dubious stage, but reborn from the ashes with a new environment, that a certain charm "decadent-chic" with a dynamic schedule, concerts, stand-up comedy and other events. Manuel Joao Vieira (vocalist of Ena Pá 2000 and Irmãos Catita) took the reins to Maxime and recovered the real joy in this institution of the Praça da Alegria (Plaza of Joy) that is in fashion again and shaking the Lisbon nights.

05/02/2008

#36 - "Discover a new world"

"Discover a new world". Advertising the post in a building at downtown. I like it a lot, and although its huge size it almost passed unnoticed!

04/02/2008

#35 - Hummm m&m's!!!!!!!!

They were alone and no longer exist, I ate them!

03/02/2008

#34 - Chill out tour

Noticed this stencil at the wall of a travel agency in Av. da Liberdade. Competition is fierce!! lol

02/02/2008

#33 -Old & New

Yesterday image was on a tourist tram. Today we can see in the same place the regular trams , old and new. For more information hit Carris home page.

01/02/2008

#32 - Frebruary Monthly Theme "When people think of my city, they think of Trams"

A tram, tramcar, trolley, trolley car, or streetcar is a railborne vehicle, lighter than a train, designed for the transport of passengers (and/or, very occasionally, freight)on urban streets. Tram systems (or "tramways" or "street railways") were common throughout the industrialized world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but they disappeared from many cities in the mid-20th century. In recent years, they have made a comeback. Many newer light rail systems share features with trams, although a distinction is usually drawn between the two, especially if the line has significant off-street running.

Themes around the world: Portland (OR), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Memphis (Tennessee), USA - Manila, Philippines - San Diego (CA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - New York City (NY), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - San Francisco (CA), USA - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - Mainz, Germany - Weston (FL), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Turin, Italy - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Bicheno, Australia - Durban, South Africa - Joplin (MO), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Brussels, Belgium - Chicago (IL), USA - Montpellier, France - Seattle (WA), USA - Mazatlan, Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Toulouse, France - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Susanville (CA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Helsinki, Finland - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Lisbon, Portugal - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Trujillo, Peru - Dunedin (FL), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - London, UK - Baziège, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mumbai, India - Naples (FL), USA - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Setúbal, Portugal - Stayton (OR), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Arradon, France - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Athens, Greece - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Jackson (MS), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Budapest, Hungary - Rotterdam, Netherlands - St Malo, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Cleveland (OH), USA - Nottingham, UK - Kansas City (MO), USA - The Hague, Netherlands - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Wrocław, Poland - Chateaubriant, France - Cheltenham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Monrovia (CA), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Toruń, Poland - Grenoble, France - Lisbon, Portugal - New Orleans (LA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Boston (MA), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Wichita (KS), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Christchurch, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Wailea (HI), USA - Aliso Viejo (CA), USA - St Francis, South Africa - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Seattle (WA), USA - Pasadena (CA), USA - Vienna, Austria - Orlando (FL), USA - Torun, Poland - Delta (CO), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Paris, France - Stavanger, Norway - Niamey, Niger - Le Guilvinec, France - Bogor, Indonesia - Saarbrücken, Germany - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Juneau (AK), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Glasgow, Scotland - Chicago (IL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Sydney, Australia - Riga, Latvia - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia