Man made and natural wonders of the world

See that little bump in the background? On the horizon. I'm not sure if it would be classified as a wonder of the world, but I think it's pretty damn wonderful.

That should count for something.

I like all the folks in the front...

Gus, sometimes I wonder about you. :-)



(Uh, say, are you man-made or naturally occurring -- categorically speaking?)

I think it was Oscar Wilde who said words to the effect that Niagara Falls was the second greatest disappointment, after the honeymoon.

For wonders, natural and manmade, in Canada or the US, I would put Niagara Falls close to the bottom - maybe even last.

I was intrigued by Smiley's statement...



I have this vision of Smiley wondering about me, perhaps in a sexual manner, (although I made it quite clear in the "homosexual thread" that I prefer the companionship of elderly church matrons who wear aprons and have apple pies perpetually cooling on window ledges), and I find myself quite flattered that someone would take the time to actually wonder about ol' Gustav.

In appreciation of your kind words, Smiley, I would like to send you a gift. Some time in the next several days you will find a package on your door step. Inside that package will be a box of 12-gauge shells, and a stuffed partridge.

Please accept these gifts, Smiley. And then quite wondering about me -- it's making me nervous.

Not to worry, Gus. My sense of wonder is the kind usually expressed by Socrates and Wonder Bread customers. Just what is it that makes something what it is? And what the heck is it, anyways, if it actually is what it was to be before it became what it seems to be to us now?

One of the benefits of dimished mental capacity, as I try to age, is that I find myself wondering more than I used to. Some folks claim that "wonder" is the highest spiritual state that one can acheive, so by the time I really get into Alzheimer's territory I should become quite Enlightened indeed!

Or at least forget where I put everything.

I guess that's the same thing, huh?

Nevertheless, thank you for your kind gift! I look forward to receiving it, as my current stuffed partridge is in need of some repair. I think perhaps you deserve your own category on this thread, as a unique and curious "self-made wonder".

Where could I send the thank-you card, without it being lost to the capybaras?

Okay, Smiley, what the heck is a "capybaras?"

Actually, CI, your sentence should read, "What the heck are capybaras?"

I'm surprised a world traveler such as yourself wouldn't have encountered one of these lovely creatures at some point.

A capybara is the largest Rodent of Unusual Size,
some kind of swamp kitten I would guess.

Refer:
Ratzenhofer Capybara Farm Inc.
Gus' Reputation
Similar things in W. Australia

Not sure if they take a saddle very well.

Back on topic, CI:

Been to the Grand Canyon, hiked it a bit, very impressed, love to go back. Never read anything about it though, might be really interesting: geology, archeology, history, ecology.

Want to see the Great Barrier Reef! Worth snorkelling and scuba diving for at least a couple months! There's lots to learn and understand, and I hear it's in dire need of help. Heck, it'd be worth working a whole year of my life to study and save it from human impact.

gus, Where do them critters live? Never seen one - yet, and I've been to most continents and animal kingdoms on this planet.

Well, a few of them live on my capybara farm, but you'll find the vast majority of them residing in South America.

And I've heard stories of underwater capybara, a cross between a capybara and a squid. I believe they're called capysquid. I'll do some more research on the capysquid and get back to you.

The closest I've ever been to swamp land is when my wife and I visited Florida, but our travels were limited to Orlando, Cape Kennedy, and St Augustine. We spent a short time in Ft Lauderdale when we did our Caribbean cruise a few lifetimes ago. Otherwise, I've flown through Miami airport a couple of times on my way to or from South America.

I sold three of my capybaras today. Hopefully they'll like their new home.

check it out

gus, Thanks for sharing those pictures on your link. Looks like huge mouse. Do you know what family they belong to? I remember seeing something similar called "dassies" in Cape Town, and they belong to the elephant family.

I'll get back to you with more info. My cab is here.

Lest we forget.
**************
A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the
present "Seven Wonders of the World."

Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most
votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not
finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having
trouble with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my
mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:




1. To See



2. To Hear



3. To Touch



4. To Taste



5. To Feel



6. To Laugh



7. And to Love."

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for
granted are truly wondrous!

A gentle reminder -- that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.