Please pass this information on to any older adults who might benefit.
On to the Finish Line – the Great Wall …
We are on the last lap! I hope everyone is finding creative ways to stay fit – and we finally have some nice weather, so we can head outside more often. Let’s go Globe Walkers!
Here are some interesting facts about the Great Wall of China to spur you on.
- The Great Wall of China is the longest structure ever built by humans. It’s construction spanned 1800 years.
- It attracts 50 million visitors every year, and had been visited by more than 460 heads of state and VIPs from around the world. In 1987, the Great Wall was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- It is not one long continuous wall, but made up of a number of different sections. New sections are still being discovered.
- Contrary to common belief, the Great Wall of China cannot be seen from space.
- The Great Wall of China has been called the longest cemetery on Earth. An estimated 400,000 workers perished during construction. Archaeologists have found human remains buried under parts of the wall.
- Wall construction was a common punishment for criminals.
- The Great Wall is wide enough in some places to drive a car over it.
- The mortar used in some places of the Great Wall is made from glutinous rice (known colloquially as “sticky rice”) thanks to its cohesive properties.
- A third of the walls have disappeared. During Mao’s Cultural Revolution in the 60’s/70’s the Wall was vandalized or destroyed and used for construction. There was no clear regulations on the conservation of the Wall until 2006.
- The wall was not very good at keeping out invaders. Many enemies throughout history managed to cross the barrier.
(chinatravelers.com, mentalfloss.com, photos – unsplash.com)
The Path Through Covid 19
I thought this chart was interesting. I know most of us are in the higher risk group, but as they say “the only day promised is today”. Let’s try to be the best we can be every day.
An Honourary Globe Walker …
This is Captain Tom Moore – a 99 year old veteran who aimed to raise just £1,000 for hospital charities by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday. He has raised more than £25 million. His story made him an A-List celebrity all over the world. He is truly an inspiration.
Read his story here: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-52333127
And … Happy Birthday Captain Tom (April 30th)!
Making the Best of It – Resources for You
The Recreational Therapists at Forever…in motion (Older Adult Team) put together this Home Fitness and Resource Guide. It has a lot of information to help us currently, and in the days to come. Thanks to their team.
Forever in Motion Home Fitness and Leisure Resource Guide(1)
March Kilometres
I am really excited to report the kilometres for March. When fitness programs stopped running and our office closed, I expected that the kilometres for March would drop drastically. While they did drop a little, it is obvious that Globe Walkers have found ways to stay fit, either together or alone. However you did it – give yourself a pat on the back.
In February we earned 241,525 km. In March we accumulated 212,218 km – which I think is fantastic given the current situation. Imagine earning all those kilometres while social distancing! Globe Walkers are absolutely phenomenal!
Since I currently can’t scan our map, you will have to visualize and mark your own maps. I will tell you that we have passed Rome (the Colosseum) and we are well on the way to the Great Wall. You can mark the line on your map from the Taj Mahal to Petra, then to Ro
me and past that to about where the word “Italy” starts.
A big thanks to our GW Captains who are helping their teams through these trying times. And congratulations to all Globe Walkers for a great March accomplishment.
Let’s keep this going throughout April – we can do it! On to the Great Wall.
Celebrate …
Some of you will be with those you love, some may be video chatting. It may be different than what you are used to, but however you celebrate this year, may you all be blessed.
Globe Walkers remain active …
I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. I am working on the Globe Walk March statistics. I will be posting the results shortly.
I am amazed at how many people are keeping up with their fitness programs. Great work everyone. We will get through this together. There are a lot of resources to help you through this. They are listed on the Saskatoon Council on Aging (SCOA) website. You can find them here: https://scoasite.wordpress.com/2020/03/13/covid-19-update/
For you Beatles fans – here is the updated Abbey Road Cover – the Covid version
We Are Headed to the Colosseum in Rome
(Captains: Don’t forget to report your March kilometres)
It’s a good thing that we are travelling via the computer and imagination. Rome, like many other cities is almost deserted right now. So along with our “visit” we are sending wishes for recovery in Italy – which has been hit hard during this pandemic.
Here are some interesting facts about the Colosseum:
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Built between 72 AD and 80 AD, the Colosseum was constructed by tens of thousands of Jewish slaves. Even today, construction of a stadium that size would be difficult to build in only 9 years. It measures 190 metres long, 156 metres wide and 50 metres high. It is the largest amphitheatre in the world.
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The Colosseum could seat around 80,000 spectators for gladiator contests, animal hunts and re-enactments of famous battles, including mock sea battles (they flooded it with water). There were 80 entrances/exits and 30 trap doors connecting the underground to the surface.
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The Colosseum had an early form of a Skydome, using a retractable awning.
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The animals that fought in the arena included lions, tigers, rhinos, elephants, crocodiles, giraffes and bears. It’s estimated that over 400,000 people and over a million wild animals died during the centuries that the games took place (the North African elephant was hunted to extinction). Some games lasted up to 100 days.
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Emperors paid for events themselves. Entry and food was free for all Romans (I don’t think they served hot dogs and cold beer!).
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Seating in the Colosseum was arranged by class, citizenship and sometimes even gender. Like today, a numbering system at the enterances was used to help people find their seats.
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Gladiator contests stopped in 435 AD and the last animal hunts were in 532 CE, partly due to the cost of acquiring animals and gladiators.
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By the 20th century, weather, natural disasters, neglect and vandalism had destroyed nearly two-thirds of the original Colosseum, including all of the arena’s marble seats and its decorative elements. Some of the stones were removed to construct other buildings including St. Peter’s Basilica
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The Colosseum has become a symbol against capital punishment. Today, any time anyone in the world has a death sentence commuted or they are released, the night lights in the Colosseum change from white to gold. This color change also occurs whenever a jurisdiction abolishes the death penalty.
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Today the Colosseum is a major tourist destination and occasionally used for live concerts. Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Elton John have performed there.
– onthegotours.com. discoverywalks.com, softschools.com, unsplash.com (photos)
Might as well laugh …
Stay safe everyone! They say that laughter is the best medicine so I hope this brings a smile to your face.
