Juan Convers

A few weeks back, I visited a dear old friend, a guy that I know from our school days, who now is living close to me in Vaud, Switzerland. My routine for these visits usually involves taking the train on to Montreaux and descending at the Burier station. This time, everything aligned perfectly, allowing me to witness a really nice sunset painting on particularly quiet lake Leman a set of vibrant colors.

According to wikipedia, the Irish population is approximately 6.9 million, but the Irish diaspora is estimated to include 50 to 80 million people worldwide, making it one of the largest of any nation.

Historical factors such as conflict, famine, and economic hardships have spurred emigration from Ireland. People of Irish descent are predominantly found in English-speaking nations, notably Great Britain, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Some significant Irish communities also exist in Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and The United Arab Emirates, but the United States hosts the largest population of Irish descent, while Australia boasts the highest percentage of Irish descendants outside of Ireland.

To all of you, my fellow Irish men and women, whether you reside within the shores of the emerald island or beyond, I wish you a happy St. Patrick's Day in 2024!

It is almost 9 years since the last time I had the opportunity to visit Locarno. This is a beautiful city in southern Switzerland, located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore. It is known for its mild climate, its mediterranean air and its amazing landscapes. Last night I took this picture in the Piazza Grande which is the main square in the city center. I was remembering that just on that occasion in 2016, I attended a screening of the movie "Lo chiamavano Trinità" in this square.

Augusta Raurica is an ancient Roman archaeological site located near the modern town of Kaiseraugst, Switzerland. It was once a thriving Roman settlement and served as the capital of the Roman province of Rhaetia. Augusta Raurica was founded in the 1st century BCE and reached its peak during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.

The proximity to Basel, along with convenient transportation options, makes this place an excellent destination for a day-trip excursion, especially when the weather is nice. Last weekend we visited again this place and enjoyed the did a walkround the site. It's interesting because it contains a number of well-preserved ruins, including the theater, the temple, and the forum. It's recommended if you are visiting Basel.

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, regularly publishes data on various social and economic indicators, including satisfaction surveys. According to one of their latest publications, in 2022, the average overall life satisfaction rating in the European Union (EU) was 7.1 out of 10. Across the 27 EU countries, 18 had ratings above or equal to the EU average. Austria had the highest rating at 7.9, followed by Finland, Poland, and Romania, each at 7.7.

It's puzzling how Germany, the economic powerhouse of Europe, has a lower life satisfaction (6.5) rating than the EU average. The article does not explain why this is the case.x Next page