Royal Couple (PART 2 OF 3)
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Taliesin is a well-known bard in the literature world.
How come I didn't come to know him? My father was a Welshman from Swansea---a Welsh town.
'Cause you were born and brought up in Canada, I suppose. Did your father tell you about Swansea?
No, not really. He wasn't much of a talker.
But he was a clergyman, wasn't he?
Yes, he was. However, he didn't tell me much about Swansea.
That is usually the case, you know. A father doesn't talk much about his birthplace. So, I looked it up in the wikipedia.
Swansea
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Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales.
Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan.
Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands.
Swansea had a population of 169,880 in 2001 and is the second most populous city in Wales after Cardiff and the third most populous county in Wales after Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
During its 19th century industrial heyday, Swansea was one of the key centres of the world copper industry, earning the nickname 'Copperopolis'.
History
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Archaeological finds are mostly confined to the Gower Peninsula, and include items from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age.
The Romans visited the area, as did the Vikings.
Swansea is thought to have originally developed as a Viking trading post.
Some think that its name is derived from Sveinn's island (Old Norse: Sveinsey) – the reference to an island may refer to a bank at the mouth of the river Tawe, or perhaps an area of raised ground in marshes.
An alternative explanation is that the name derives from the Norse name 'Sweyn' and 'ey', which can mean inlet.
The name is pronounced Swans-y /ˈswɒnzi/), not Swan-sea.
The Welsh name first appears in Welsh poems at the beginning of the 13th century, as "Aber Tawy".
The earliest known form of the modern name is Sweynesse, which was used in the first charter granted sometime between 1158–1184 by William de Newburgh, 3rd Earl of Warwick.
The charter gave Swansea the status of a borough, granting the townsmen, called burgesses certain rights to develop the area.
A second charter was granted in 1215 by King John.
In this charter, the name appears as Sweyneshe.
The town seal which is believed to date from this period names the town as Sweyse.
Following the Norman Conquest, a marcher lordship was created under the title of Gower.
It included land around Swansea Bay as far as the River Tawe, the manor of Kilvey beyond the Tawe, and the peninsula itself.
Swansea was designated chief town of the lordship and received a borough charter some time between 1158 and 1184.
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SOURCE: Swansea,
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You know what?...My Welsh given name is "Myfanwy."
Really?
Yes, it is. As you know, I always jot down "Myfanwy" in my mail. so I thought you figured it out.
No, I didn't. I thought that "Myfanwy" was your handle name. So you're a Welsh-Canadian, aren't you?
Yes, I am. By the way, Kato, how come you call Sayuri "Madame Taliesin"?
A good question, Diane...There is a theme park called "Karuizawa Taliesin" in Karuizawa. Sayuri loves and visits the park quite often. So I call her "Madame Taliesin."
Karuizawa Taliesin
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I see. Then how come the theme park is called "Karuizawa Taliesin" in the first place?
In Middle Welsh, "Taliesin" means "shining brow." In the Celtic mythology, Taliesin also means a wise man, who is related to a fairy, called "Taliesin", who promoted the art. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect, called his work place "Taliesin" and produced a lot of creative works. Sympathetic to the architect's idea, the creator of the theme park in Karuizawa also called his park "Karuizawa Taliesin" and wanted to make it as a base for new cultural power.
It's a long story, huh?
Yes, it is. You know what, Diane? You can see the same kind of facility in Swansea.
What is it?
It is called Taliesin Arts Centre.
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Wow!... Taliesin seems prevailing all over the world, doesn't it?
Yes, indeed, it looks like it.
Kato, you're telling me about my ancestors, aren't you?
Yes, I am. Your forefather was a bard just like Taliesin, and liked to stroll in the Welsh woods with a lovely fairy.
What makes you think so?
'Cause you wore a fairy costume on the night of Halloween. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ...
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SOURCE: "Swansea"
(November 1, 2011)
I almost forgot it.
Now I know that Prince Charles and you have one thing in common---Wales.
In any case, I quite like the eccentric old chap, really ... and I don't think $721,000 for a royal visit is out of line.
I still don't agree on that.
... better him than the Queen actually.
Why is that, Diane?
'Cause she's getting a bit too old to be gallavanting around.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, ... we're getting older, you know. It isn't too old for her to enjoy life.
I doubt... Anyway, think about how much we waste money in other areas ... well, let's not go there.
I know what you mean. we all know how much waste the senators in Canada are making! They are not even elected! They're spending a lot on their expense accounts!
Well ... I do agree there was something not right about that a high-school student travelling to Finland to study their system. It's probably one of those classic cases of a powerful older man trying to impressive a lovely young woman with just how powerful and influential he is. In the back of his mind, there may have been hopes of a payoff somewhere down the line.
That's understandable.
I hope he's at least embarrassed now. I bet he'll get a serious lecture from his wife on the subject at the very least.
Diane, you're absolutely right on that.
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【Himiko's Monologue】
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Talking about Prince Charles, I still don't forgive his relationship with Camilla.
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As you view the above clip, it is obvious that his relationship with Camilla gave a hard time to Di's marriage and might have led to her tragic death.
In any case, Princess Di got married.
I'm still alone.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato at Vancouver Public Library.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
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(To be followed)