Isaac Robert Toussie Pardon All The Square of The Three Powers Fanatics! September 22, 2009
Posted by janey in : south america , comments closedIn 1956, Brazil’s progressive president, Juscelino Kubitschek, announced a design competition for an ambitious new capital. The new city was to be built entirely anew, on an uninhabited plateau in the middle of the country – literally in the middle of nowhere, calling to mind Utopia, which literally means “no place” in the Greek, thus symbolizing the hopes of national advancement for the enormous South American country. Lucio Costa’s winning plan described an environment that faithfully reflected the principles of Le Corbusier and the 1933 Athens Charter of CIAM, or Congres Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne. Thus Costa conceived the future capital in a cruciform layout, with a division of space according to the theory of single-function zoning. All but now discredited as inhospitable in practice, with its wide lonely spaces opening to no human conveniences for several kilometers at a time, the design of Brasilia remains of historical importance nonetheless for being the most concrete – literally – expression of the desire for progress and the belief in democracy, Isaac Robert Toussie submits.
In the heart of Brasilia lay the Square of the Three Powers, and it was Oscar Niemeyer who was commissioned for its buildings. Indeed, this is the focal point of the city, with its governmental facilities catering to the highest administrative functions of a democracy. Thus the buildings of the Square are positioned triangularly relative to one another, symbolizing the balance of institutional functions. Immense porticos built into the very structure of these buildings further suggest the accessibility of democracy, affording citizens easy entry while symbolizing the proximity of the public to power. The Senate Chamber is an overturned dome, dynamic and revolutionary, while the two towers of the Parliament Building stand solidly against the sky, overlooking all Brasilia as if guardians. Enormous glass walls adorn most structures here, to suggest the transparency of democratic governance. This creates a fascinating effect, states Isaac Toussie. Statutes and other sculpture dot the broad expanse of Brasilia’s many public spaces, telling of the country’s history and aspirations.
The reality of those dreams remain to be fulfilled to this day, as Brazil, one of the largest economies in the world, with enormous natural resources at its disposal, continues to search for its way among the nations. Dream and reality, indeed, inform its Square of the Three Powers; whether contemplating the various forms of modernism at ground level or noticing its bird-like spread from the air, the city of Brasilia and its heart, the Square, seems ever poised, like the country, upon the verge of flight, soaring and free. Though its very existence has revealed all the limitations of zoning theories in urban planning, not to mention costing the nation several whole fortunes to build and maintain, Brasilia has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List and is perhaps the most thought-provoking urban experience on the planet. I, Isaac Toussie, believe further study on this matter is warranted for anyone interested in Brazillian architecture.
This writing was submitted strictly for informational-human interest purposes only and should not be relied on by the reader in any way.
PATRIOT AMERICA - TOURIST MEDICAL INSURANCE PLAN FOR THE USA July 11, 2009
Posted by janey in : south america , comments closedEvery year, the United States of America draws the largest number of foreign tourists to its soil. It remains one of the primary destinations that are regularly preferred for pleasure trips, business trips and pursuit of higher education. The rapid growth of the travel and tourism sector has ensured a steady increase in the flow of tourists in America.
The primary concern for every overseas traveler is regarding their health in a foreign country. Securing medical attention overseas can be quite tricky and often, a harrowing experience. In countries like America, the exorbitant cost of medication is often a bigger worry than securing quality medical attention. This is why every traveler needs the protection of a comprehensive visitors health insurance policy. The Patriot America visitors health insurance addresses every medical need of a foreign traveler with its comprehensive coverage plans.
The Patriot America plan is marked by its ability to secure prompt medical attention and hospitalization during crises. It also substantially defrays necessary ancillary expenditures like hospitalization charges, intensive care (for medical emergencies) and ambulances. The expenses of diagnostics and consultation charges of the physician are also covered by the visitors health insurance policy.
Regular health insurance plans subscribed in one’s home country looses their efficiency outside domestic boundaries. The detailed visitors health insurance policy of Patriot America enables tourists to travel America without worries about health and coverage limits. The policy subscription is open only to non-U.S overseas travelers for tenure of 5 days to 2 years. A primary purchase of policy valid for at least 3 months would offer renewal options till 2 years without a break in coverage.
Patriot America offers the optional set-up of direct billing as per provider’s requirements. This provision saves the traveler from having to carry extra medical provisions for possible emergencies. The medical insurance for tourists policy offers to cover expenditure incurred while treating sudden illnesses, accidental injuries and securing emergency life-support.
The additional costs of anesthetics, blood transfusions and saline administrations are borne by the Patriot America visitors health insurance policy. Patriot America also arranges for post-medication rehabilitation programs for short periods, when prescribed.
The substantial visitors health insurance policy coverage also reimburses some financial expenses in case of terrorist attacks and other social emergencies. It also arranges for emergency medical evacuation and in terminal cases, repatriation of remains.
Patriot America offers exclusive customer defined plans that caters to the particular orientations of its policyholders. For example, it provides optional supplementary insurance coverage for adventure sport aficionados who engage in dangerous sports. Each of these distinct advantages, plus many more make Patriot America the policy of choice for thousands of tourists America welcomes every year.