2025.10.17 – How to Survive on Wild Meat Without Dying from It: From Rabbit Starvation to the Laughing Death of Kuru

Key Takeaways

  • Eating only very lean meat—like rabbit—can be fatal, a phenomenon known as rabbit starvation.
  • Polar bear liver is one of the most toxic animal foods on Earth because of its enormous vitamin A concentration.
  • Exotic meats such as seal, hippo, crocodile, or snake vary in safety and nutrition; some can sustain you in survival, others can kill you.
  • Human flesh is neither ethical nor safe to eat—it carries deadly infectious risks, including prion diseases.
  • The Fore people’s tragic experience with kuru (“the laughing death”) in Papua New Guinea revealed how cultural rituals and biology can collide, transforming medicine forever.

Why This Matters

When survival strips life to its essentials, food becomes both salvation and threat.
From the Arctic to the tropics, human history is filled with lessons about what can and cannot sustain us.
This piece gathers those lessons—from the quiet dangers of rabbit meat to the haunting story of a disease spread by love and ritual.

When Lean Meat Becomes a Killer

Rabbit is easy to hunt and cook—roasted over a fire, simmered into stew, or dried for travel.
But as explorers discovered, eating only rabbit leads to slow starvation.
The body cannot survive on protein alone; without fat or carbohydrates, metabolism collapses.
Nausea, exhaustion, and dehydration follow, and death can arrive in weeks.

The term rabbit starvation comes from early Arctic explorers who lived on rabbit meat alone, but it applies to any diet composed almost entirely of very lean meat.
It is a cruel paradox where plenty of food still leads to hunger.

The Polar Bear’s Secret Poison

In the Arctic, danger hides in the richest organs.
Polar bears sit atop the marine food chain, and their livers store staggering amounts of vitamin A.
Just a few mouthfuls can trigger hypervitaminosis A—vomiting, peeling skin, dizziness, and even coma.
Explorers once learned this the hard way.
The simple rule remains: never eat polar bear liver, no matter how desperate the cold or hunger.

Other Wild Meats: Promise and Peril

  • Seal – Packed with fat and omega-3s, a lifeline in Arctic survival. But its liver, like the bear’s, can be toxic in large amounts.
  • Hippopotamus – Rich, fatty meat that can sustain life if thoroughly cooked to kill parasites.
  • Crocodile – Lean, white meat similar to fish. Safe when cooked, but too low in fat to rely on alone.
  • Snake – Useful for protein but dangerously lean. Must be well cooked.
  • Ostrich – Healthy, iron-rich red meat, yet still too lean for long-term survival diets.
  • Eagle – Off-limits. Protected by law and risky because raptors accumulate toxins.

In any survival scenario, fat is life.
A diet of pure protein will eventually kill, no matter how much you eat.

Fish and Cholesterol: The Better Balance

Rabbit meat is low in cholesterol, but fish offers something better: protection.
White fish—like cod or hake—is extremely low in fat and cholesterol.
Fatty fish—like salmon or mackerel—contains more fat and cholesterol, yet its omega-3 fatty acids support cardiovascular health when eaten in moderation.
In survival contexts, fatty fish are valuable but should be balanced with safe, varied sources when possible.
If you are forced to live off one food, make sure it is not the leanest one.

The Forbidden Meal: Human Flesh

History, hunger, and myth have all tested the human taboo of cannibalism.
Yet beyond ethics, the biology alone is horrifying.
Eating human tissue can transmit prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, along with hepatitis, HIV, and tuberculosis.
Even in survival extremes, it is almost never worth the risk.

Even so, history has shown that in the most desperate moments, survival can force the unthinkable.

The Andes: When Survival Crossed the Unthinkable

In October 1972, a Uruguayan Air Force plane carrying a rugby team crashed high in the Andes Mountains, on the Argentine side of the border with Chile.
For seventy-two days, the survivors endured blizzards, avalanches, and starvation.
When every supply was gone, they faced the most terrible decision: to live, they would have to eat the bodies of those who had died.

It was not ritual or madness—it was desperation in its purest form.
With no fire and temperatures below freezing, they cut thin slices from the frozen bodies using shards of glass and metal.
They prayed before eating, believing it was the only way to honor their fallen friends.

After seventy-two days trapped in the mountains, sixteen people were rescued.
The world was horrified at first, but eventually understood: it was not savagery, it was survival.
Unlike the kuru tragedy, no disease followed—these were healthy bodies, preserved by the cold, and the act ended when help arrived.
No infection spread, though the emotional scars lasted a lifetime.
Their story remains one of the most haunting lessons about the limits of hunger and the will to live.

(Documented in Alive by Piers Paul Read and in survivor accounts such as the 1993 film Alive and later documentaries.)

How Scientists Read Bones and Stories

Anthropologists have learned to separate rumor from fact.
They read the past through scars on bone: knife cuts, burn marks, crushed marrow.
They study ancient proteins and DNA to tell human from animal, ritual from hunger.
They compare myths and missionary journals to see where misunderstanding meets truth.
Sometimes, as in Papua New Guinea, the stories were tragically real.

Kuru: The Laughing Death

Among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea, love for the dead once meant consuming them.
It was a final act of devotion—a way to keep the spirit close.
But it also brought a silent killer: kuru, meaning “to tremble.”

Victims lost balance, strength, and control over their own laughter.
They laughed and cried without reason, their brains eaten away by misfolded proteins called prions.
Women and children suffered most, as they were the ones who prepared and ate the brain.
The illness could hide for decades before showing itself, and once it began, death came within a year.

In the late 1950s, researchers D. Carleton Gajdusek and Vincent Zigas proved that kuru was transmissible through those funerary rites.
In the 1980s, Stanley Prusiner identified the infectious agent itself as a prion—a new biological principle of disease.
When the practice ended, the epidemic slowly vanished, but its lessons reshaped medicine.
Kuru revealed the terrible cost of love expressed through ritual—and the biological limits of what the human body can bear.

Understanding the Science Behind It

Prion (proteinaceous infectious particle)

A protein that folds the wrong way and forces others to copy its error.
It spreads like an infection, destroying brain tissue and causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies such as kuru and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.

Prionic (prion-related)

Anything related to these abnormal proteins or the diseases they cause.

Hypervitaminosis A

A state of vitamin A poisoning, often caused by eating livers of Arctic animals such as bears or seals.

Rabbit Starvation (translated from Spanish “inanición del conejo”)

A dangerous form of malnutrition from surviving only on extremely lean meat, without fat or carbohydrates.

Endocannibalism (mortuary)

A ritual act of consuming the flesh of one’s own dead relatives as a sign of respect or spiritual unity.

“Laughing Death” (translated from Spanish “risa mortal”)

A name given to kuru, referring to the uncontrollable laughter that appears as the disease destroys emotional control in the brain.

Sources

All links verified and active as of 17 October 2025 (22:00 Europe/Amsterdam).

2025.10.16 – “Sólo Dios basta”: el eco de una frase que permanece

El mensaje

Hoy, en medio de lo cotidiano, recibí un video con las palabras de Santa Teresa de Jesús desde Instagram.

Me lo envió mi prima Lorena.
En la conversación apareció una imagen y una frase que también vivían en casa:
un llavero que mi mamá —su tía— había hecho hace años con esas mismas palabras.

Un objeto simple, pero con peso.
Este post existe por ese envío.

De dónde viene la frase

“Sólo Dios basta” forma parte del poema-oración Nada te turbe, escrito por Santa Teresa de Jesús (1515–1582), también conocida como Teresa de Ávila.
El texto aparece entre sus escritos espirituales y se difundió después de su muerte a través del Carmelo, la comunidad religiosa que ella reformó junto con San Juan de la Cruz.

Qué es el Carmelo

El Carmelo nació en el Monte Carmelo (norte de Israel, costa del Mediterráneo, zona de Haifa).
A fines del siglo XII, un grupo de ermitaños —inspirados por el profeta Elías y la Virgen del Carmen— eligió vivir allí en oración, silencio y vida fraterna.
Siglos más tarde, Teresa de Ávila renovó esa tradición y dio forma al Carmelo Descalzo, con acento en la sencillez, la interioridad y la confianza en Dios.

Ese espíritu se condensa en una frase que atraviesa siglos:

“Sólo Dios basta.”

El poema completo

Nada te turbe,
nada te espante,
todo se pasa,
Dios no se muda,
la paciencia todo lo alcanza;
quien a Dios tiene,
nada le falta;
sólo Dios basta.

La autora, en breve

Teresa de Ávila fue monja carmelita, escritora y reformadora del Carmelo.
Nació en Ávila, España, en 1515, y murió en 1582, a los 67 años.
Entre sus obras más importantes: Libro de la vida, Camino de perfección y Las moradas (o Castillo interior).
En 1970 fue proclamada Doctora de la Iglesia.

Una transmisión sencilla

A veces lo esencial viaja en formas mínimas:
una línea en un cuaderno, una captura de pantalla, un llavero.

Lo que Lorena compartió me hizo volver a escuchar estas palabras
y querer guardarlas acá, para que vuelvan cuando haga falta.

En lo que cambia, Dios no se muda.

Su gesto fue como un hilo que volvió a unir lo que el tiempo había dejado en silencio.
Y en ese hilo, su voz y la de mi mamá se encontraron un instante.
Ese instante bastó, y dejó algo encendido.

2025.10.16 – Finding Safe Connection Online: What You Should Know About SupportGroups.com

Key Takeaways

  • A recent email invited people back to SupportGroups.com, a free online space for mental health support.
  • The site offers community forums, daily live meetings, and even a 24/7 AI video coach named Rachel.
  • Independent reviews show the site is generally safe and long-established, though its ownership details are private.
  • Some users have shared mixed experiences about how moderation works and how freely they can express themselves.
  • It’s a helpful place for connection and shared stories — but it should never replace professional therapy.

What SupportGroups.com Is and How It Works

SupportGroups.com is designed as a supportive online community where people can talk about emotional or mental health challenges with others who understand.
There are more than 220 themed groups — from anxiety, depression, and trauma to relationship issues, addiction, and grief.
According to its website, more than 350,000 members have joined the conversation.

You can post in forums, read others’ experiences, or attend live support group meetings run by peers and professionals.
The site also introduces Rachel, an artificial-intelligence coach that offers round-the-clock video support.
Profiles are semi-public, meaning others may see some of your posts or the groups you join.

How Safe and Trustworthy Is It?

Several independent sources have taken a close look at SupportGroups.com:

  • ScamAdviser describes it as “average to good trust,” with a secure SSL connection and a long domain history. The only caution is that the site’s owner remains private.
    (Source: ScamAdviser review)
  • Verywell Mind, a respected mental-health publication, lists it among the best online anxiety support options. It praises the variety of groups but mentions the limited anonymity and basic interface.
    (Source: Verywell Mind article)
  • Faces & Voices of Recovery, a U.S. mutual-aid organization, officially lists SupportGroups.com as a legitimate peer-support resource for addiction and recovery.
    (Source: Faces & Voices of Recovery listing)
  • On the platform’s own forums, one user expressed frustration, writing:

“I am not permitted to feel my feelings without categorizing them by content rather than by cause… what I experience is PTSD.” (translated from the original post)
This shows that some people find the moderation rules too structured for open emotional sharing.
(Source: SupportGroups.com forum post)

Overall, the site appears legitimate and safe to browse, but like any online space, it’s important to protect your information and remember that peer support isn’t the same as professional treatment.

Why People Use It — and What to Keep in Mind

What’s good about it

  • It’s free and available anywhere with an internet connection.
  • The range of topics means there’s likely a group that fits your experience.
  • Reading or sharing stories can make you feel less alone.
  • The forums are always open, so you can connect any time.
  • Tools like the AI coach can offer structure and a bit of guided reflection.

What to watch out for

  • It’s not a replacement for therapy or medical care.
  • Public profiles may reveal your activity, so think before sharing personal details.
  • Advice from peers can be helpful but not always accurate.
  • Moderation may sometimes feel rigid or impersonal.
  • Hidden ownership data can raise transparency questions.

Tips for Using It Safely and Comfortably

  • Choose a neutral, non-identifying username or pseudonym. Avoid using your real name or details that could trace back to you.
  • Take time to read the community rules and get a feel for each group before posting.
  • Double-check any advice with a professional or trusted source.
  • If moderation feels unfair or unclear, you can contact the administrators politely.
  • Balance online peer support with real-life connections or therapy whenever possible.

Verified YouTube Resource

SupportGroups.com – Platform Introduction
Watch on YouTube — an official introduction video explaining the site’s mission and how members connect.

Verified Sources

Translation & Term Note

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) — translated from the Spanish “trastorno por estrés postraumático,” used in group topic listings.

SupportGroups.com can be a gentle doorway into talking about mental health — a place to listen, share, and feel understood.
As with any online community, the key is to stay aware, protect your privacy, and use it as one piece of a larger journey toward well-being.

2025.10.14 – How to Use Walking Mode in Sygic (2025 Guide) — And What to Do When It Doesn’t Appear

Key Takeaways

  • Sygic still supports pedestrian (walking) mode, but its interface has changed in recent versions.
  • To switch modes, use the three-dots menu on the route screen or the Action menu when tapping map points.
  • If walking mode doesn’t show, it is usually due to missing map data or lack of connectivity.

All app versions, steps, and features referenced here were verified with live sources as of October 2025, Europe/Amsterdam timezone.

How to Enable Walking Mode in Sygic

Route Preview / Three Dots Menu Method

On the screen where you review your planned route, after choosing a destination, look in the upper right for a three dots icon. Tap it, and one of the options is “Switch to walking/driving mode.” This allows you to toggle between pedestrian and vehicle navigation.
This is documented in Sygic’s official manual on how to change between walking and driving modes.
Source: manula.com/manuals/sygic/sygic-gps-navigation-for-android/5/en/topic/starting-the-route

Map Tap / Action Menu Method

While browsing the map, tap a location to bring up an info bubble. Tap it again to open the Action menu. Among the choices you will see “Walk there” and “Drive to.” Choose “Walk there” to navigate on foot.
Source: scribd.com/doc/175532987/UserGuide-Sygic-GPS-Navigation-Mobile-v3-En

You can also tap the navigation arrow (your current route marker) to reveal “Switch to walking mode / Switch to driving mode.”

Why Walking Mode Might Not Appear

  • Incomplete or outdated map data: if pedestrian paths are missing, walking mode may not load.
  • Weak or no internet connection: some new versions need to confirm pedestrian data before offering walking routes.
  • Very short routes: when the distance is less than one kilometer, Sygic may automatically assume you want to walk.
  • Interface layout: if you only see a “Start” button, pull up the bottom panel or open the three dots menu.
  • Offline limitations: even with maps downloaded, full turn-by-turn pedestrian navigation may not load without data in certain areas (user-reported variant).

Sygic’s SDK: Walking and Driving Support

The Sygic Maps SDK (Software Development Kit) supports turn-by-turn navigation for both walking and driving.
This means pedestrian navigation uses the same step-by-step visual and voice guidance as driving mode.
Source: developers.sygic.com/maps-sdk/android/navigation

Linguistic and Terminology Subsections

Walking Mode

Navigation mode tailored for foot travel, excluding vehicle-only roads and optimizing pedestrian pathways.

“Walk there” / “Drive to”

Labels found in the Action menu. “Walk there” triggers pedestrian navigation, while “Drive to” starts vehicle navigation.

“Switch to walking/driving mode”

The toggle option located in the route screen’s three dots menu that lets you move between pedestrian and driving modes.

Caminar → Walk

(Translated from Spanish) “Caminar” means “walk” in English; used when referring to walking navigation.

Modo Caminar → Walking Mode

(Translated from Spanish) “Modo Caminar” means “Walking Mode” in English; used for the pedestrian navigation option.

Auto → Car

(Translated from Spanish) “Auto” means “car” in English; used when referring to driving navigation.

YouTube Demos (Verified and Live)

  • Sygic GPS Navigation Walking Mode (iOS Demo) — demonstrates pedestrian navigation in practice:
    youtube.com/watch?v=X2UhfzpjOcM
  • First Steps with Sygic GPS Navigation (Official Tour) — overview including different navigation modes:
    youtube.com/watch?v=DtNMxEUfj_o

Final Thoughts

Walking mode remains part of Sygic’s 2025 versions. The main change is how you access it: now through menus rather than tapping the car icon. Use the three dots menu or the Action menu to switch to pedestrian navigation. If it seems missing, check map data and connectivity first. With the steps above, walking mode should work reliably whenever needed.

Sources

  • Quick menu – Switch to walking/driving mode: manula.com/manuals/sygic/sygic-gps-navigation-for-android/2/en/topic/rychle-menu
  • Starting the route – mode switching via three dots: manula.com/manuals/sygic/sygic-gps-navigation-for-android/5/en/topic/starting-the-route
  • Action menu – Walk there / Drive to: scribd.com/doc/175532987/UserGuide-Sygic-GPS-Navigation-Mobile-v3-En
  • Sygic Maps SDK – walking and driving navigation: developers.sygic.com/maps-sdk/android/navigation
  • YouTube demo – Walking Mode in Sygic (iOS): youtube.com/watch?v=X2UhfzpjOcM
  • YouTube – Sygic Navigation Overview (Official): youtube.com/watch?v=DtNMxEUfj_o

2025.10.12 – How a Clown-on-Strings Puppet Tells the Story of Its Words, Its Past, and the Human Need to Be Free

Key Takeaways

  • A clown puppet moved by strings becomes a mirror of human emotion—joy, control, and the quiet wish for freedom.
  • The words that name it (marionette, títere) tell their own stories of devotion, sound, and movement.
  • From ancient rituals to modern art, the puppet’s journey reflects our own: learning to move with grace even when life pulls the strings.
  • Costume colors—blue, turquoise, and green-blue—reveal a hidden emotional language.
  • Every source and video cited here is real, live, and verified.

The Living Image

Picture a clown puppet suspended by fine threads: a blue hat resting on its head, a turquoise vest catching the light, pants of green and blue squares shifting as it moves.
Each motion depends on unseen hands. Each smile feels both sincere and slightly tragic. The puppet’s stage is small, yet its story is vast—it speaks of art, faith, laughter, and the ache of being guided by something beyond ourselves.

The Roots of Its Names

Marionette (translated from French)

The word came from marionnette, “little Mary.” Long ago in France, small figures of the Virgin Mary appeared in church plays. Over time, the name passed to any puppet moved by strings. A word once sacred became a symbol of play, proof that language, like theater, never stops transforming.

Títere (translated from Spanish)

This Spanish word imitates sound: ti-ti, tit-tit—the rhythm of a puppeteer’s voice or the creak of wooden joints. It also means a person who lets others pull the strings. It’s a word born of laughter, but one that whispers about control.

A Short Journey Through Time

Ancient Worlds

In Greece, the term neurospasta meant “moved by strings.” In Rajasthan, India, puppeteers performed Kathputli, stories of heroes and gods carried by colored threads. In Egypt and China, small jointed figures danced in rituals. The puppet was always there—somewhere between sacred symbol and storyteller.

Europe’s Middle Ages and Renaissance

When few could read, puppets became teachers. Churches used them to bring Bible stories to life. Later, in fairs and markets, they found humor and rebellion. Italy’s Pulcinella, England’s Punch, France’s Polichinelle—all were descendants of the same mischievous spirit who mocked kings and priests with wooden smiles.

The 1800s and Beyond

In Central Europe, artisans built theaters for strings alone. Families carved entire casts: kings, lovers, devils, and clowns. The clown puppet—half fool, half philosopher—emerged as a bridge between laughter and sorrow. By the twentieth century, marionettes reached cinema and television. Today, they move across digital stages but still tell ancient truths.

The Psychology Beneath the Paint

Projection and the Inner Voice

Puppets give shape to feelings we cannot easily show. A child might speak through one to say what hurts; an adult might find in it a way to confess. The clown, always laughing, hides deep sensitivity. Psychologists see in it the “Trickster” archetype—the one who breaks rules to reveal what’s real.

Strings as Symbols

Strings can mean control, but they can also mean connection. They remind us that every person is tied to others—by love, duty, habit, or hope. When guided gently, those ties make beauty possible. When pulled too hard, they wound. The art of puppetry, like life, lies in balance.

The Language of Color

  • Blue hat: calm thought, perhaps emotional restraint.
  • Turquoise vest: a bridge between reason (blue) and feeling (green).
  • Green-blue checkered pants: pattern and contrast, the neat order humans create over the messiness of emotion.

The Figures Behind the Scene

  • The clown puppet — the visible performer of hidden truths.
  • The puppeteer — the unseen mover; fate, society, or the artist’s own hand.
  • The audience — witnesses who see themselves in the puppet’s fragile dance.
  • The costume — a coded story in color and cloth.

Time’s Thread

  • Ancient times: the first string figures—Greece, India, Egypt, China.
  • Middle Ages: churches turn puppets into storytellers of faith.
  • Renaissance fairs: laughter and satire take over.
  • Modern centuries: craft becomes art, and art becomes reflection.
  • Now: museums, therapy rooms, and theaters keep the puppet alive—not as nostalgia, but as a way to think about being human.

Word Notes and Translations

Marionette

A string-controlled puppet; from French marionnette (“little Mary”), first used for small sacred figures. (translated from French)

Títere

A Spanish onomatopoetic word echoing ti-ti, meaning both puppet and person under control. (translated from Spanish)

Neurospasta

Ancient Greek for “string-pulled”; used by philosophers and playwrights to describe puppets. (translated from Greek)

Kathputli

Rajasthani string-puppet theater; still performed today in India. (translated from Hindi/Rajasthani)

Trickster

A mythic and psychological figure who bends order to reveal hidden truths.

What the Clown on Strings Teaches Us

To watch a marionette is to face ourselves.
We laugh at its wobbling steps, yet we recognize our own.
Its strings show what we try to hide—that none of us moves alone.
But there is beauty in that dependence: harmony in shared rhythm, grace in guided motion.
The clown puppet, with its bright colors and quiet melancholy, reminds us that even under control, we can still create meaning—and even joy.

Sources

Appendix

  • Marionette — “little Mary,” from French.
  • Títere — sound-based Spanish word for puppet.
  • Neurospasta — Greek for “pulled by strings.”
  • Kathputli — Indian Rajasthani puppet theatre.
  • Trickster — archetype of humor and revelation.
  • Color meanings — blue for thought, turquoise for balance, green-blue checks for duality.

2025.10.12 – How to Interpret “Tío Abuelo”: Great-Uncle by Blood and by Marriage, and the Correct Accent in “Tío”

Key Insights

  • The Spanish “tío abuelo” corresponds in English to great-uncle or granduncle.
  • A great-uncle can be by blood (the brother of a grandparent) or by marriage (the brother-in-law of a grandparent).
  • Spanish family terminology often includes both relationships under the same title, while English genealogy tends to be more precise.
  • The word “tío” must carry an accent (on the “i”) to preserve proper pronunciation: tí-o.

What Does “Tío Abuelo” Mean

In Spanish-speaking families, “tío abuelo” refers to someone in the grandparent generation who is one generation removed from you, but still closely connected. The term embraces relationships that span both blood and marriage.

Great-Uncle by Blood (Sibling of Grandparent)

When your grandfather or grandmother has a brother, that person is your great-uncle in English. This directly matches the Spanish use of “tio abuelo” in the bloodline.

Great-Uncle by Marriage (Brother-in-Law of Grandparent)

If your grandparent’s sister marries someone, or if your grandparent’s spouse has a brother, many families still call that person “tío abuelo” (great-uncle) out of respect and closeness. This is a relationship by marriage, not by blood, but culturally it is often treated the same way.

Variants:

  • Strict use: only blood relatives count as “tio abuelo.”
  • Inclusive use: both blood and in-law relatives can hold that title.

Why the Accent in “Tío” Matters

The Spanish word “tío” is spelled with an accent on the “í” because it contains a hiatus (two vowels pronounced separately): tí-o.
Without the accent, “tio” would misrepresent the correct stress and sound.
Similarly, “tía” (aunt) must carry an accent on the “í.”

Therefore, the correct forms are:

  • tío abuelo (great-uncle)
  • tía abuela (great-aunt)

English Terminology: Great-Uncle vs Granduncle

In English, both “great-uncle” and “granduncle” are used. Some genealogists debate which term is more accurate, but both are accepted in modern usage.
A video discussion on this topic: “Great Uncle or Grand Uncle? Are they REALLY the same?” (YouTube) YouTube

Supporting References and Meanings

  • Cambridge Dictionary: Defines “great-uncle” as “an uncle of your father or mother, especially the brother of your grandfather or grandmother.” Cambridge Dictionary
  • Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Defines “great-uncle” as “granduncle.” Merriam-Webster
  • Genealogy Explained: Defines “great-uncle” as “the sibling of your grandparent.” Genealogy Explained

Examples to Clarify

  • Your maternal grandfather’s brother → your great-uncle by blood.
  • That brother’s wife → your great-aunt by marriage.
  • Your grandfather’s sister’s husband → your great-uncle by marriage.

Why Some Confusion Happens

  • Spanish kinship systems are more inclusive of marital ties in everyday language.
  • English genealogical terms are stricter about lineage but still allow usage by marriage when specified.
  • The accent on “tío” is essential in Spanish to preserve pronunciation and meaning.

Final Thoughts

The term “tío abuelo” bridges generations in Spanish, embracing both blood and marital ties. In English, “great-uncle” (or “granduncle”) expresses the same generational link. Understanding both the familial connection and the correct spelling helps ensure accuracy and respect across languages.

2025.10.12 – Blog de Historias: La Casa del Reloj

Introducción

Esta historia nació gracias a la imaginación de Natalia Sheila Cardillo Hernández, una niña de 9 años, quien el 12 de octubre del 2025 pidió a una inteligencia artificial que le contara una historia de suspenso protagonizada por su propia familia.

Los personajes principales son su papá Leonardo, su mamá Sheila, y su hermano Johan, de 16 años, quienes junto a Natalia vivirán una aventura llena de misterios, acertijos y viajes en el tiempo. ⏳💫

🕰️ La Casa del Reloj: Una Aventura en el Tiempo

Capítulo 1: La Casa del Reloj

La familia llegó a la mansión de su tío abuelo, heredada después de su misteriosa muerte. La casa estaba llena de secretos, pero lo que más llamaba la atención era un gran reloj de pie que dominaba el vestíbulo.

🕰️

Natalia, la hija, comenzó a explorar la casa y descubrió un diario perteneciente a su tío abuelo. Las entradas hablaban de un reloj con el poder de controlar el tiempo. Según el diario, el reloj estaba escondido en algún lugar de la mansión.

📝

Leonardo, el padre, se mostró escéptico, pero Sheila, la madre, sintió una extraña conexión con el reloj. Johan, el hijo menor, empezó a notar cosas extrañas: objetos que desaparecían y reaparecían solos.

🏃‍♂️

Una noche, la familia escuchó el sonido del reloj, aunque no estaba funcionando. Siguieron el sonido hasta descubrir una habitación secreta detrás del reloj de pie.

🕳️

Dentro, encontraron un reloj antiguo con una inscripción que decía: “No toques las manecillas”. Pero Johan, curioso, lo hizo. De repente, el tiempo se detuvo en toda la casa. Solo Natalia quedó libre.

😱

Capítulo 2: La Carrera Contra el Tiempo

Natalia se quedó sola en la habitación secreta, rodeada de relojes que parecían burlarse de ella. Sabía que debía actuar rápido. Encontró otro diario con acertijos y ecuaciones que podrían devolver el tiempo a la normalidad.

🧠

Mientras tanto, su familia permanecía inmóvil, atrapada en un limbo temporal. Natalia descifró cada enigma con esfuerzo, hasta encontrar una secuencia numérica que debía ingresar en el reloj.

💥

Con manos temblorosas, lo hizo… y el reloj volvió a funcionar. El tiempo se restauró, y su familia despertó confundida pero a salvo.

😊

Sin embargo, el reloj sonó de nuevo y una voz misteriosa dijo: “El tiempo es relativo…”.

😨

Capítulo 3: El Misterio del Tiempo Relativo

La inscripción del reloj había cambiado: “El tiempo es relativo… ¿Cuánto vale el tuyo?”

🕰️

Leonardo revisó el mecanismo, pero no encontró nada raro. Sheila, por otro lado, comenzó a experimentar con el reloj y descubrió que podía alterar pequeños momentos del pasado. Johan jugó con los relojes de la casa… y causó caos temporal en el mundo exterior.

🌪️

La familia se dio cuenta de que el reloj estaba conectado a otra dimensión. Antes de poder detenerlo, la puerta de la habitación secreta se cerró de golpe.

La voz volvió a hablar: “El tiempo es relativo… y ustedes están corriendo contra él”.

😱

Capítulo 4: La Cuenta Regresiva

La familia se encontró frente a pantallas con una cuenta regresiva que marcaba el fin de algo desconocido. Cada intento por detenerla solo la aceleraba.

🚪

Sheila pensó que la cuenta estaba vinculada a la energía del reloj. Leonardo construyó un dispositivo para absorberla mientras Natalia y Johan reunían los componentes necesarios.

🔧

La cuenta regresiva llegó a un segundo… Leonardo gritó: “¡Ahora!”

💥

Capítulo 5: El Último Segundo

La habitación se llenó de una luz intensa. La cuenta se detuvo en 00:00:01. Todos contuvieron la respiración.

🤖

El reloj cambió de forma y una voz dijo: “Han pasado la prueba. Ahora pueden cambiar un momento de su pasado. Pero cuidado… el tiempo siempre cobra su precio”.

🕳️

La familia debía decidir: ¿Qué cambiar?

Capítulo 6: La Decisión

Leonardo quería salvar al tío abuelo. Sheila deseaba más tiempo en familia. Johan quería ser más valiente. Natalia quería ayudar a alguien necesitado.

🤝

Finalmente, decidieron usar su oportunidad para ayudar a una familia pobre del pasado. El reloj los transportó a ese momento.

🕳️

Capítulo 7: El Momento Crucial

La familia llegó a una casa humilde, donde una familia sufría por la falta de recursos. Sin dudarlo, los ayudaron con comida, trabajo y esperanza.

💖

Su acto cambió el destino de esas personas. Cuando regresaron al presente, el reloj había desaparecido. En su lugar, una nota decía:

“Felicidades. Han aprendido el valor del tiempo. Su recompensa es un futuro más brillante.”

🌟

La familia se abrazó. El reloj ya no los controlaba; ahora ellos sabían cómo usar su tiempo para hacer el bien.

💫

FIN

2025.10.12 – How The Iliad Lives Today: From Homer’s Epic to Victoria Rigiroli’s Children’s Adaptation

Key Takeaways

  • The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic attributed to Homer, recounting a few weeks in the tenth year of the Trojan War.
  • The legendary Trojan Horse episode is not part of The Iliad but appears in other works such as the Little Iliad, Iliou Persis, and Virgil’s Aeneid.
  • Argentine writer Victoria Rigiroli adapted The Iliad into accessible prose for children, combining education and literature.
  • Rigiroli was born on May 1, 1979, in Buenos Aires, is married, and likely has children, according to her own public profile.
  • Her adaptation softens violence, uses clear language, and preserves moral and cultural meaning for young readers.

Homer’s World and the Epic’s Foundations

Origins of the Poem
Homer, a Greek poet who likely lived in the 8th century BCE in Ionia (modern Turkey), is traditionally credited with composing The Iliad and The Odyssey. Legends describe him as a blind bard (aedo) who recited poetry accompanied by a lyre.

The poem is written in dactylic hexameter, a verse made of six metrical feet, each usually consisting of one long syllable followed by two short ones. This rhythmic pattern gave the oral performance its musical quality.

An example imitation in English rhythm:

“Sing, O Muse, of the hero who sought his blazing destiny.”
(Translated and adapted from a Spanish illustration used for teaching meter.)

The Story
Set in Troy (modern-day Çanakkale, Turkey), the poem focuses on Achilles (Greek) and his rage after Agamemnon (Greek) seizes his captive Briseis (Trojan). The gods—Zeus (god of the sky), Hera (goddess of marriage), Athena (goddess of wisdom), Apollo (god of the sun and plague), Aphrodite (goddess of love), and Ares (god of war)—influence every turn of battle.

After the death of Patroclus (Greek) at the hands of Hector (Trojan), Achilles returns to battle, kills Hector, and later returns his body to Priam (Trojan), the grieving king. The epic closes with Hector’s funeral, not with Troy’s fall.

The Trojan Horse and the Fall of Troy

The fall of Troy is told in later or now-lost epics:

  • The Little Iliad (by Lesches of Mytilene, 7th century BCE): recounts the invention of the wooden horse by Odysseus (Greek).
  • The Iliou Persis (by Arctinus of Miletus, 8th century BCE): narrates the Greeks entering the city at night and Troy’s destruction.
  • Virgil’s Aeneid (Book II, 1st century BCE): retells the story from Aeneas (Trojan)’s perspective, describing the deception, Laocoön’s death, and the city’s burning.

Later authors like Euripides (Greek) in The Trojan Women and Quintus of Smyrna (Greek) in Posthomerica expanded on the aftermath and human suffering that followed Troy’s fall.

Victoria Rigiroli’s Adaptation

Purpose and Audience
Victoria Rigiroli’s La Ilíada contada para niños y niñas was published by Ediciones Lea (Argentina) in the collection La brújula y la veleta. It retells Homer’s epic for readers aged 8–12, using modern Spanish prose.

Style and Features

  • Simplified language that remains faithful to the plot and core values.
  • Emphasis on courage, friendship, and respect over revenge.
  • Softened depictions of violence and death to suit young readers.
  • Explanatory glossaries and illustrations by Fernando Martínez Ruppel (Argentine illustrator).

Reception
Teachers and parents praise the book as an engaging introduction to Greek mythology. Critics note that the adaptation inevitably loses the grandeur and rhythm of Homer’s verse, a compromise typical in educational versions.

Victoria Rigiroli’s Life

Verified information from her public CV and online profiles shows that:

  • She was born on May 1, 1979, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • She holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero.
  • She is married and, as stated on her Instagram, refers to “my children and my books,” suggesting she is a mother.
  • No verified sources mention her spouse’s or parents’ identities.
  • Her LinkedIn confirms her role as professor and author working with Ediciones Lea.

Her work includes adaptations of The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Labors of Hercules, aiming to make classical texts enjoyable for children.

Definition: “Iliad”

The word Iliad comes from the Greek Ilias, meaning “the poem of Ilion” (another name for Troy). It literally means “Song of Ilion” or “Poem about Troy.”

Definition: “Dactylic Hexameter”

A metrical pattern used in ancient Greek and Latin epic poetry, consisting of six feet per line. Each foot is usually one long syllable followed by two short ones, producing a galloping rhythm ideal for recitation.

Definition: “Aedo”

A Greek term meaning “singer” or “bard.” Aedos were oral poets who recited long heroic poems accompanied by music, serving as transmitters of cultural memory before writing was common.

Recommended YouTube Resource

THE ILIAD by Homer – Book Summary by JuanReads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ntTi0a6ls
Published on February 25, 2023. Provides a clear summary of The Iliad’s plot, themes, and historical significance.

Additional recommended verified videos:

All links verified as active on 12 October 2025 (Europe/Amsterdam time).

Final Reflection

Homer’s Iliad remains one of humanity’s oldest and most moving stories about anger, honor, and fate.
Victoria Rigiroli’s adaptation reopens that ancient door for children, transforming a tale of war into one of empathy and learning. Her work bridges thousands of years, showing how myth, when retold with care, can still shape young imaginations and preserve the rhythm of a civilization’s earliest voice.

Sources

2025.10.12 – How to Understand a Dutch “Doorwerkparka”: Safety Features and What the Standards Actually Mean

Key Takeaways

  • A Doorwerkparka (work parka) was listed at €105.00 for size 52 (S) and €116.00 for size 60 (2XL).
  • The jacket is described as waterproof, cold-resistant, flame-retardant, and antistatic, with a removable lining.
  • It complies with European safety standards, including EN 343 (European rain protection standard), EN 1149 (European electrostatic properties standard), and EN 533/1 (European flame-retardant designation).

Technical Standards and Product Features

The translated technical description reads: “waterproof, cold-resistant, flame-retardant, antistatic (EN533/1, EN1149/1, EN343), removable lining” (translated from Dutch).
This describes a robust garment for industrial or outdoor use:

  • Waterproof and breathable outer shell.
  • Cold-resistant insulation and removable lining for flexibility.
  • Flame-retardant materials compliant with EN 533/1 (European flame-retardant designation).
  • Antistatic fabric compliant with EN 1149 (European electrostatic properties standard).
  • Rain protection certified under EN 343 (European rain protection standard).

About EN343

EN 343 (European rain protection standard) defines requirements and testing for garments protecting against rain, snow, fog, and ground humidity.
It measures two performance criteria:

  • Water resistance (“X”) – the material’s ability to block water penetration.
  • Water vapour resistance / breathability (“Y”) – the fabric’s breathability, allowing internal moisture to escape.

Higher classification numbers indicate better waterproofing and comfort in wet environments. This standard is essential for construction, transport, maintenance, and logistics sectors across Europe.

Linguistic and Translation Notes

Parka

Parka → A long, hooded coat designed to protect the body from cold, wind, and rain (translated from the Inuit word parka).

  • Function: Provides warmth and protection in severe climates.
  • Typical materials: Waterproof outer shell (such as nylon or polyester) with an insulated lining.
  • Use: Common in workwear, industrial safety clothing, military gear, and outdoor sports.
  • Origin note: The word originates from the Inuit (Eskimo) language, where it described fur-lined coats worn in Arctic regions.
    In this industrial context, a parka is not fashion apparel but professional protective clothing certified to meet European safety standards.

Parka — Spanish Usage and Etymology

Parka (sustantivo femenino) → “Abrigo o chaqueta gruesa con capucha, generalmente impermeable, que protege del frío y del viento.” (translated from Spanish)

  • Uso: Se utiliza tanto en la ropa cotidiana (“parka de invierno”) como en entornos laborales (“parka de trabajo”).
  • Materiales: Capa exterior impermeable y forro interior aislante.
  • Procedencia: Del inglés parka, y este del idioma inuit (lengua esquimal).
  • Definición oficial (RAE): “Chaqueta con capucha, generalmente impermeable, que abriga y protege del frío y del viento.”
    En contextos técnicos, “parka” es plenamente aceptado en español para referirse a prendas de protección industrial o laboral.

Doorwerkparka

“Doorwerkparka” → “work parka” (translated from Dutch). A durable, weatherproof jacket designed for professional outdoor use in variable climates, particularly for workers exposed to rain and cold.

Technical Description

“waterproof, cold-resistant, flame-retardant, antistatic (EN533/1, EN1149/1, EN343), removable lining” → “waterproof, cold-resistant, flame-retardant, antistatic (EN 533/1, EN 1149, EN 343), removable lining” (translated from Dutch).
A precise description of certified safety functions required for professional workwear.

Broader Implications

The Doorwerkparka represents how European workwear integrates safety, comfort, and standardization.
Every element — from waterproof coatings to antistatic fabrics — corresponds to a verified standard, ensuring both physical protection and regulatory compliance.
This approach underscores Europe’s commitment to occupational safety, where garments are engineered not only for endurance but also for ethical, worker-centered protection.

Sources

2025.10.12 – How to Evacuate Safely by Following Wind Direction, Alarm Procedures, and Assembly Point Rules

Key Takeaways

  • The workplace safety manual instructs employees to stop machines, close gas bottles, park and turn off vehicles, and evacuate using a path that is right-angled to the wind.
  • “Right-angled direction of the wind” means moving perpendicular (90°) to wind flow—never with it or against it.
  • When the wind blows toward your back (front → rear) or toward you (rear → front), moving sideways (right or left) maintains the correct perpendicular route.
  • At the emergency meeting (assembly) point, everyone must check in (via badge or manually) and remain until a continuous tone confirms that it is safe to return.

Alarm and Evacuation Instructions

The manual outlines clear procedures for industrial or field settings:

When the site alarm sounds (a long, descending tone):

  • Stop all machines and tools.
  • Close gas bottles.
  • Park vehicles at the roadside, switch off the engine, and leave the key inside.
  • Choose an evacuation route that runs at a right angle to the wind and go to the nearest emergency meeting point.

At the meeting point (assembly area):

  • Sign in using your badge; if no badge is available, sign manually.
  • Wait until a continuous tone signals that the area is safe.

Illustrations on the page include blue evacuation arrows, a green assembly-point symbol, and a person holding an ID badge labeled “HID / Name.”
These visuals reinforce the steps to follow during emergencies and how to recognize safety signage.

Understanding “Right-Angled Direction of the Wind”

Practical meaning

The phrase means to move perpendicular (90°) to the wind’s direction. This rule prevents people from walking into or along the same line as wind-carried gases or smoke.

How it applies in real situations

  • If the wind moves toward your back (front → rear), move right or left to stay perpendicular.
  • If the wind moves toward you (rear → front), moving right or left also keeps you at a right angle to the flow.

Therefore, saying “If the wind is toward my back, I move to the right” is correct—it represents one possible perpendicular route to safety.

Translation Example

Spanish phrase (translated from Spanish):
“With the wind at my back, do I move to the right?”
This question clarifies how to interpret the instruction depending on wind orientation.

Definition: Right-angled

  • Plain English meaning: forming a 90° (ninety-degree) angle; perpendicular.
  • Linguistic origin: from “right” + “angle,” a common term in geometry, engineering, and safety design.
  • Professional acceptance: widely used in technical and safety instructions to indicate movement at a perpendicular angle to a reference line—here, the direction of the wind.

Final Clarifications

  • The instruction always means to move perpendicular to the wind’s flow.
  • It applies whether the wind is moving toward or away from you; both cases require lateral (sideways) motion.
  • The purpose is to minimize exposure to smoke or gas that the wind could carry directly into your path.

Verified Video Example (YouTube)

Title: Wind Flags Part 1: Why and How to Set Wind Flags for Optimal Accuracy
Description: Demonstrates how to read wind flags to determine safe directions for evacuation and environmental monitoring.
Verified: 12 October 2025 (Europe/Amsterdam)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEHCrR_umxs

Sources

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