A christmas message

“Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display-so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree not the firelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.” This is all what I feel of Christmas.

It was December 25, 1914, only 5 months into World War I. German, British, and French soldiers, already sick and tired of the senseless killing, disobeyed their superiors and fraternized with “the enemy” along two-thirds of the Western Front (a crime punishable by death in times of war). German troops held Christmas trees up out of the trenches with signs, “Merry Christmas.”

“You no shoot, we no shoot.” Thousands of troops streamed across a no-man’s land strewn with rotting corpses. They sang Christmas carols, exchanged photographs of loved ones back home, shared rations, played football and even roasted some pigs. Soldiers embraced men they had been trying to kill a few short hours before. They agreed to warn each other if the top brass forced them to fire their weapons, and to aim high.

The high command on either side was shuddered. Here was disaster in the making: soldiers declaring their brotherhood with each other and refusing to fight. Generals on both sides declared this spontaneous peacemaking to be treasonous and subject to court martial. By March 1915 the fraternization movement had been eradicated and the killing machine put back in full operation. By the time of the armistice in 1918, fifteen million were cruelly killed.

This is not just a moral story or a myth, but the real incident happened during a Christmas. I hope, no, pray to the Almighty that this spirit may spread to all the troops, no, to the whole world, eager to kill each other.

Oasis of the Seas

ship that is five times bigger than the ‘Great Titanic‘, Can you imagine? Yes, it has come true with the ship cruise “Oasis of the Seas“. After nearly six years in the making, on October 28, 2009 Royal Caribbean International proudly took delivery of its newest and most revolutionary cruise ship from STX Europe in Turku, Finland. Oasis of the Seas is departing Turku on Friday, Oct. 30 with Captain William S. Wright at the helm. The vessel was ordered in February 2006 and designed under the name “Project Genesis”. Its keel was laid down on 12. The company announced that full funding for Oasis of the Seas was secured on 15 April 2009. It’s debut into Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is scheduled on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009.

The official naming ceremony for Oasis of the Seas is taking place on 30th November during one day inaugural celebration. This event is planned as a fundraiser to benefit a non-profit Foundation which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Tickets for the once-in-a-lifetime event begin at $750 per person. For reservations to this exclusive event combined with the four-night sailing, contact Cynthia Paez, Royal Caribbean International, at (877) 202-1520, ext. 12751, or cpaez@rccl.com.

Oasis of the Seas is the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas is the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. Of all these specialities, the most exceptional feature of this miraculous ship is central park. It is elegantly landscaped with tropical foliage and seasonal flowers, shrubs and trees. “We’ve collected and designed a unique display of the most representative varieties of regional plants,” says Dennis J. Dale, director of Landscape Architecture.

Some snaps through the making of Oasis of the Seas……