Snow In Segovia, Spain, 20th Dec 2006

The Roman aqueducts in Segovia. Aqueducts move water from one place to another, which they transport by very simply harnessing the force of gravity. I'll concede that the Romans were the first in the world to apply the method on such a large scale. But I refuse to believe that they were the first in the world to think of what would appear to be an absolute no-brainer.

So much stone, which only conveys so much water.

Don't get me wrong though. I think it's a marvellous achievement, and I'm just pointing out the fact that despite the monumental efforts by the Roman to put up these magnificent aqueducts, they were still limited by practical constraints.

The unknown hero.

(Nah, he has a name, and is probably a king, prince or some famous warrior. It's only that I can't seem to remember it.)

Snow! Pity it has fallen already! Still, we were very fortunate to have seen it, and I for the first time in my life. Probably has to do with the fact that Segovia is situated a thousand feet above sea level, and not to the low temperatures. But it has been a topsy-turvy winter all over the world I've heard, with the balmy winters in the United States, sakuras blooming already in Japan and it pouring buckets in Singapore. In the United Kingdom, I've heard it said that it is particularly warm for the time of the year.

And I don't mind one bit the temperature staying as it is for the next two months where I am!

Another alcazar (fortress). Believe it or not, this Disneyland-looking castle were built by the Muslims. It's amazing what images can do to your perception - Walt Disney has very cleverly appropriated for his animated films the eternal image of snow and castles, princes and princesses, witches and dragons, winning for Disney cartoons the monopoly of fairytale and magic. The fact that I'd been trying hard to look for Snow White and any of the dwarves here is a testament to his incredible success.