WHERE DO THE DAYS OF THE WEEK GET THEIR NAMES?

Have you ever wondered why the days of the week have such strange names? Across the Africa and the Middle East, Slavic-speaking countries and Greece, the days are simply named “first”, “second”, etc. or given a name that describes their position within the week, such as “middle”.

The Greeks named the days week after the sun, the moon and the five known planets, which were in turn named after the gods Ares, Hermes, Zeus, Aphrodite, and Cronus. The Greeks called the days of the week the Theon hemerai "days of the Gods".

The Romans were great fans of giving fancy names to everything, and the more, the merrier. With the days of the week, they decided to name each day after a celestial object and the God associated with it: the sun, the moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. Thus the Romans substituted their equivalent gods for the Greek gods as the two pantheons are fairly similar. The Germanic peoples generally substituted roughly similar gods for the Roman gods, Tiu (Twia), Woden, Thor, Freya (Fria), but did not substitute Saturn.

As the Romans met other people, such as the Saxons and Goths, they had a tendency to draw parallels between their deities and the Germanic pantheon, which resulted in the Germanic people adopting the same week, translating the name of the Gods with their own. If they hadn’t, our week would probably look like this: Sunday, Monday, Marday, Mercreday, Joviday, Venday and Saturday.

The Anglo-Saxons, who invaded Britain hundreds of years ago, adopted this idea but substituted their own gods from Teutonic mythology. The English language has inherited and changed those names a bit, but the ones we use today resemble those names. Thus:

Sunday: Sun's Day. The Sun gave people light and warmth every day. They decided to name the first (or last) day of the week after the Sun.

Monday: Moon's Day. The Moon was thought to be very important in the lives of people and their crops.

The sibling gods that carry the sun and moon across the sky, it is told that they were born mortal, and that their father named his daughter Sunne and his son Mona after the heavenly lights.

Tuesday: Tiw's Day. Tiw, or Tyr, was a Norse god known for his sense of justice. While many Germanic deities are at least partially warriors, the greatest and bravest warrior of them all is Tiw. It is told that the gods sought to bind a giant wolf with a magical rope, but this was only possible through trickery.

Wednesday: Woden's Day. Woden, or Odin, was a Norse god who was one of the most powerful of them all. The principle god of the Germanic peoples was not, surprisingly enough, a god of war or of storms. Rather, he was a god of wile, travel and sorcery. He is said to be the god who either invented or discovered the art of writing, and gave it to humans.

Thursday: Thor's Day. Thor was a Norse god who wielded a giant hammer. Thor was the son of Woden and he may not be the chief god, but he is by far the most renowned (primarily in his Norse version, Thor). Thunor is a sky god, in charge of weather both good and terrible, and was especially famous for his thundering war hammer, which he used to defend mankind from giants and various other monsters.

Friday: Frigg's Day. Frigg was a Norse god equal in power to Odin. Queen of the gods and wife of Woden, Frige is also associated with magic, especially prophecy. Her station among the gods is shown by the fact that other lesser goddesses attend to her. She is also the goddess of motherhood, marriage and fertility.

Saturday: Seater's Day or Saturn's Day. Saturn was a Roman god. The only deity that was left untranslated, Saturn is a Roman god of time and renewal and is commonly depicted as “Father Time”, wielding a sickle and a long beard. Most gruesomely, he is said to have repeatedly feasted on his own children, symbolizing that time devours everything. Saturn’s holiday, the Saturnalia was a holiday of role-reversals, where the forbidden became allowed and masters waited upon slaves.

THE NOTRE DAME INFERNO

If you have ever visited Paris I am certain you have been to the Notre Dame cathedral. After the Eiffel Tower this is the second most popular tourist attraction and undoubtedly the most beautiful one. So today when the television showed flames erupting from the spires of Notre Dame it was a heart wrenching moment for me. The cathedral caught fire, causing the collapse of the spire and the roof and not only the ordinary Parisians but even the President Emmanuel Macron was in tears. The spectacle of flames leaping from the cathedral’s wooden roof, its spire glowing red then turning into a virtual cinder stunned thousands of onlookers who gathered along the banks of the Seine, gasping and covering their mouths in horror and wiping away tears. Though more than 500 fire fighters were trying to save most of the cathedral but like on several occasions in its history, once again this historic monument has been ravaged by fire.

My love affair with the iconic cathedral started in my school days when I read Victor Hugo’s famous novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. The story of Quasimodo, the ugliest person in Paris and La Esmerelda, a gypsy street dancer, and their strange love is still vivid in my memory but the burning spire of the cathedral too will remain etched in the same memory bank forever!

The cathedral of Notre Dame is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Its innovative use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its enormous and colourful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration set it apart from the earlier Romanesque style.

The cathedral was begun in 1160 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was largely complete by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the ensuing centuries. In the 1790s, Notre-Dame suffered desecration during the French Revolution; much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. In 1804, the cathedral was the site of the Coronation as Emperor of France, and witnessed the baptism of Henri, Count of Chambord in 1821 and the funerals of several presidents of the Third French Republic.

The Exterior

The Gothic cathedral was a liber pauperum, a "poor people's book", covered with sculpture vividly illustrating biblical stories, for the vast majority of parishioners who were illiterate. To add to the effect, all of the sculpture on the façades was originally painted and gilded.

The tympanum over the central portal on the west facade, facing the square, vividly illustrates the Last Judgement, with figures of sinners being led off to hell, and good Christians taken to heaven. The sculpture of the right portal shows the coronation of the Virgin Mary, and the left portal shows the lives of saints who were important to Parisians, particularly Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary.

 

Sculptures of a variety of fabulous and frightening grotesques or monsters - the gargoyle, the chimera, a mythical hybrid creature which usually had the body of a lion and the head of a goat, and the Strix or stryge, a creature resembling an owl or bat, which was said to eat human flesh were all a part of the visual message for the illiterate worshipers, symbols of the evil and danger that threatened those who did not follow the teachings of the church.

The stained glass windows of Notre-Dame, particularly the three rose windows, are among the most famous features of the cathedral. While they look brilliant from outside, from inside they are simply mesmerizing!

Gargoyles

The gargoyles were added in about 1240 and had a more practical purpose. They were the rain spouts of the cathedral, designed to divide the torrent of water which poured from the roof after rain, and to project it outwards as far as possible from the buttresses and the walls and windows where it might erode the mortar binding the stone. To produce many thin streams rather than a torrent of water, a large number of gargoyles were used, so they were also designed to be a decorative element of the architecture. The rainwater ran from the roof into lead gutters, then down channels on the flying buttresses, then along a channel cut in the back of the gargoyle and out of the mouth away from the cathedral.

Broken gargoyles and fallen balustrades replaced by plastic pipes and wooden planks were certainly eye sores. Water regularly seeps through cracks in the lead-covered spire, weakening its wooden frame. Rain, some of it acid, is slowly eroding the flying buttresses and their decorative pinnacles, built with delicate limestone.

Bells

The cathedral has 10 bells. The Emmanuel Bell dates back to 15^th. Century and weighs 13 tons. It rings for the coronation of French kings along with major events like the visit of the Pope, and others to mark the end of conflicts including World War I and World War II. It also rings in times of sorrow and drama to unite believers at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, like for the funerals of the French heads of state, massacres like such as the 11 September Twin Towers incident and it is reserved for the Cathedral's special occasions like Christmas and Easter. Another large bell in the south tower called Marie and it weighs 8 tons. In the North Tower, there are eight bells varying in size from largest to smallest. Gabriel is the largest bell there; it weighs four tons. Jean Marie is the smallest bell of the cathedral and it weighs 0.780 tons. Each bell tolls with a different note and has a history of its own.

Paintings and sculptures

The walls are decorated with sculptures of religious figures, some devoted to illustrating medieval science and philosophy. The central portal of the west facade is decorated with carved figures holding circular plaques with symbols of transformation taken from alchemy. The central pillar of the central door of Notre-Dame features a statue of a woman on a throne holding a scepter in her left hand, and in her right hand, two books, one open (symbol of public knowledge), and the other closed (esoteric knowledge), along with a ladder with seven steps, symbolizing the seven steps alchemists followed in their scientific quest of trying to transform ordinary metals into gold!

Many of the statues, particularly the grotesques, were removed from facade in the 17th and 18th century, or were destroyed during the French Revolution. They were replaced with figures in the Gothic style, designed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, during the 19th century restoration.

The cathedral has about 50 “Mays” of Notre Dame, large paintings that were commissioned that month nearly every year from 1630 to 1707. Thus masterpieces like The Descent of the Holy Spirit by Jacques Blanchard, Saint Pierre healing the sick of his shadow and The Conversion of St. Paul by Laurent de la Hyre, The Centenary Cornelius at the feet of St. Peter by Aubin Vouet , The Preaching of St. Peter in Jerusalem by Charles Poerson and The son of Sceva defeated by the demon by Matthew Elyas all between 1634 and 1702 are in display and many other that are either used as replacement or too fragile for display.

Organ

This has changed several times since the 15^th century. The current organ has 115 stops (156 ranks) on five manuals and pedal, and more than 8,000 pipes. The position of titular organist ("head" or "chief" organist) at Notre-Dame is considered one of the most prestigious organist posts in France, a position held by Vincent Dubois since 2016.

The Cathedral's flèche or spire, which was destroyed in the April 2019 fire was located over the transept and altar. The original spire was constructed in the 13th century. It was battered, weakened and bent by the wind over five centuries, and finally was removed in 1786. During the 19th century restoration, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc decided to recreate it, making a new version of oak covered with lead. The entire spire weighed 750 tons and today it stands charred! A very tragic site! Now it is up to the French Government, the organizations like UNESCO and the philanthropists of the world to restore it to its past glory.

HOW CAN YOU TRAVEL ON A BUDGET?

 

Is money the reason why you are postponing that trip to Europe or the adventure in the Himalayas? There is always a way to get the best out of your limited resources. In fact, it doesn't matter how much money you have – you always want to make the most of it. You always want to save it where you can. You want to have more to spend on another holiday; more to splash out on something amazing; more to squirrel away for that trip to the casino or for the Jet Ski or speedboat.

Where do you end up spending?

While planning a vacation these are the heads in which you are expected to spend:

1. Transportation

2. Accommodation

3. Food

4. Activities

5. Shopping

6. Communications

7. Travel insurance

8. Bank charges

9. Unexpected expenses

And for travellers, this is how you do it. This is how you save money, no matter what sort of holiday you're planning. Whether you're travelling solo or in a group, if you're going to Asia or South America, if you're going skiing or hiking – the following tips on each of your point of spending will make your next holiday cheaper.

Shop around

I was going to talk, here, about booking all your own travel and cutting out the middle man of a travel agent. However, sometimes agents have access to deals that you won't be able to find online. When it comes to flights and accommodation packages, the only way to ensure you get the best deal is to shop around. Find the best price you can online, then talk to a few travel agents and see if they can better it. Negotiate a good travel insurance, it helps when you run out of luck!

Travel off-peak

The cheapest time to visit a place is when no one else wants to go. For some destinations, visiting in low season is not only more affordable, but far more pleasant given the lack of crowds. For other places, it might not be feasible: maybe the weather will be prohibitive, or the key attractions will be closed. If that's the case, opt for the shoulder seasons. Either way, you'll save.

Travel on Tuesdays

When booking flights, Tuesday is almost always the cheapest priced day of the week to travel, due to the low demand for flights on this day. If you’re willing and able to travel out and/or back on a Tuesday, this will save you some money.

Be flexible with your destinations

Keep your holiday options open, in terms of both destination and timing. Watch for flight sales and accommodation discounts. Keep an eye out for great deals. Eventually, you'll be able to nab a trip to… somewhere, for a great price. Sometimes some of the most amazing destinations in the world aren’t on your radar yet but are totally worth the trip. Often they’ll even been cheaper too.

Save on Visa charges

Some countries don’t require visas for entry as a short term traveller, and others charge for the privilege of entering. Be aware what you’re getting into, as you can plan your journey around destinations with cheap visa processes.

Book in advance

Prices will go up as time gets closer to your trip. Booking train journeys, hostel beds and of course air travel ahead of time guarantees you won’t get stuck having to spring for a flashier room or a last minute price gouged flight. Use the holiday sales rates if available.

Be smart online

Always make sure you clear your browser cookies, and even use a private/incognito window while searching for flights. Websites have a tricky way of tracking what prices you’ve been quoted in the past, so in order to make things competitive and cheap, make sure you’re browsing on the hush! Prices can vary depending on where you are booking from. Using a simple VPN on your computer can make it look like you’re booking from another place. Definitely worth trying and shopping around the get the best deals!

Use frequent flyer points

It’s definitely worth joining a frequent flyer program and racking up those miles/points. Over time they really add up and can get you discounted flights and upgrades!

Budget Airlines

They are not always economical. There are hidden rates and you may end up paying for food, luggage and get dropped in a God forsaken airport far away from the city and you then spend what you saved to then reach the city in a cab! And you lose time too!

Spend some time studying the flight options

Choose the neighbouring airports. “For example, if you want to visit Laos or Burma, the best option is to fly to Bangkok (to enter to Thailand you do not need to pay a visa) and then look at flights from local companies like Air Asia to fly to your final destination. Many times there is also an option to get there by bus and it is much cheaper. You’d be surprised how cheap it can be to travel to Australia or New Zealand from Southeast Asia – KL, Hong Kong, Bangkok. 

Pack light

This is a simple but effective measure to save money every time you fly. Travel only with carry-on luggage, meaning you can fly with budget airlines on their most basic fares. Just ensure you know each airline's carry-on rules, and that you adhere to them.

Manage your money

There are all sorts of hidden costs involved with accessing your money while you're overseas. The trick is to find a bank card that doesn't charge for foreign transactions or accessing foreign ATMs. It's also worth looking into cards that allow you to load up in a foreign currency, to take advantage of a strong exchange rate.

Use discount cards

A lot of cities offer discount public transport and attraction-entry cards for tourists. Barcelona has one, for example, called Hola BCN, which offers unlimited journeys on the city's public transport network for a set period of time. A quick Google search will reveal whether your destination offers something similar.

Buy a local SIM card

Choose to be with a phone provider that provides a travel friendly service. This isn’t always possible, but the UK’s 3 Mobile for example offers free international roaming in certain countries. Check traveller forums and facebook pages for the best country by country phone tips. 

Fill up on bread

This goes against the classic buffet mantra, but for travellers looking to save money it's an excellent suggestion. If you're staying in accommodation that offers a free breakfast, make sure you fill up. Eat as much as you can. Then, grab a few bread rolls, a few slices of ham and some cheese, and you have your lunch sorted as well.

Share accommodation, share transport

Travellers have long known about the sharing economy, ever since we started bunking down in dorms with 10 other people instead of booking hotel rooms. To save money when you're on the road, share as much as you can. Stay in dorms, or even private rooms in hostels. Share taxis. Use UberPool where it's available. Couch-surf. Share apartments through Airbnb. There are plenty of options. If you have the time then rent a bicycle.

Eat lunches out, dinners in

If you want to sample the local cuisine but save money as well, eat lunch at restaurants, and cook your own dinners in your hostel or shared apartment. In many cities, lunch menus are cheaper than dinner, and cooking one meal a day (after shopping at a market) will save you a huge amount, while still utilizing local ingredients.

Mouthwatering street food

Do not miss the street food

Eating street food tends to be the cheapest way to feed yourself on a budget. There’s a lot of unnecessary fear around this. You can actually watch the food being prepared and cooked, so it’s better than being hidden away in a kitchen. Go for the stands that have a steady queue and freshly prepared food

Look for food and drink specials

Happy hour is your friend. Go to bars when they're doing two-for-one deals or other discounts. Keep an eye out for backpacker pubs that have specials going all day. Some restaurants, too, will offer deals at certain times – that's when you want to be eating.

Feni - a Goan drink

Try local drinks

Buy local brands of beer and wine. It’s usually a lot cheaper than the more well-known international brands

Join free tours

In most major cities these days you'll find multiple options for free tours. These are usually government-funded walking tours that could be general introductions to a city, or quite focused special-interest tours, all hosted by passionate locals keen to share their city. The open top big red bus is very economical and has audio guides too!

Use public transport…

Forget taxis and hire cars. To get around on the cheap, travel as the locals do. Catch public buses, or use the subway. Ride in shared taxis or mini-vans. Jump in tuk-tuks. Cling on to motorbike taxis.

…Or walk

Or, of course, you could save even more money and walk. You'll see far more of a city if you do this, plus work off a few of those buffet breakfasts.

…Or Quirky transport

You don’t always have to take a bus or a train. Try local fishing boats, kayaks, trams, scooters, rickshaws etc. There’s certainly no good reason not to do a little exploring to find a way of getting around that you wouldn’t find back home, and often it’ll be a lot cheaper.

Travel at night

While travelling in India, Europe, and Australia opt for overnight buses and trains. They are comfortable, economical, and safe and you save on night stays! You also save the day for sightseeing and not spend it on a flight!

Central Park, New York

Go to free attractions

Some of the world's most famous tourist attractions cost nothing to visit. Think Central Park in New York; pretty much all of the museums and galleries in London; the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul; the Smithsonian in Washington DC.

Visit free galleries and museums

Some cities like London and Berlin are full of free museums, including numerous collections of art and history that are free to the viewing public. Other cities charge a small fee for entrance into their museums, but even those places frequently offer discounts and even free days. Google it!

Talk to locals, they are helpful

Avoid over hyped tourist destinations. Don’t pay $350 to climb it when you can walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge pedestrian footpath for free. Want the best views in Sydney? The Coogee to Bondi coastal walk is free and will take a couple of hours.

Shop at local markets and not in tourist stores

Temple Bar in Dublin is home to 3 different types of markets all held over the weekend. They offer cheaper and more unique souvenirs than what you will find in the shops.

Learn to haggle

In many cultures it’s the norm to bargain a price down from the asking price. It may not feel comfortable but it’s normal. But, also know when to stop and pay a decent price.

Treasure experience over material things

Souvenirs are overrated. Seriously! Instead of bringing back a suitcase full of touristy paraphernalia, why not focus on collecting memories and experiences instead of material things. It makes your travel so much happier, your bags so much lighter, and your wallet so much fatter.

Claim the tax back

Each country has a different process but it is definitely worth investigating if you can claim the taxes of your purchases during your holidays. Look for the tax free logo in the establishments you visit. Some will require a minimal purchase expense and you will usually have to present the passport. Once at the airport back home, before checking in, introduce yourself at the tax return stand to complete the process.

Do your research

No matter where you're going or what you're hoping to do when you get there, knowledge is power. You should know how much to pay for transport. You should know where the cheapest accommodation is, where the budget-friendly restaurants are. You should know how to get travellers' discounts. You should know the scams to look out for. All of this can be done before you leave.

So next time you plan a trip be smart, plan well and enjoy to the maximum! Remember, we are only budgeting the cost, not the fun, frolic, enjoyment and experience!!