America, 5 things.

[The Natural]

I don't find it strange at all that houses are built with wood. Here nearly all houses are of wood and the latest standards for isolation is 25 cm in the walls and 40 cm in the ceiling. Windows are double or triple with Argon gas like you have ML.

[Wayne]

In Russia, outside of the large cities, a lot of houses are built from wood: LARCH

This is a natural rot resistant wood. Even churches are built from this wood. There are a few companies who export larch from Russia to USA. It is good for decks and other exposed conditions.

In Crimea, where earch quakes can happen, some houses are built from shell stone. This material is much softer than most stone and resists quakes better. It is cheaper than cement blocks and very available. It also has good insulating quality.

Some wood constructed buildings last 100 or more years. In commercial buildings, if a fire starts a steel frame would quickly lose strength and collapse. Whereas, a post and beam heavy wood constructed building would not lose all its strength right away from the heat.

If you build a house in Alaska on permafrost ground, you would use a completely different type of construction.

In Crimea, there are still cave cities. I even saw a church built into a cave.

At one time, geodestic domes were being built. I guess it was part of the hippie generation?

An adobe house with very thick walls and a tile roof is popular the the south west USA. That style would look out of place most everywhere else.

I have been in many house designed by Frank Loyd Wright and friends of ours owned one. It was built in 1918--but had many features that became poplular in the 50's and 60's.

What a dumb world it would be if every house were the same!

[GQBlues]

In Russia, outside of the large cities, a lot of houses are built from wood: LARCH

This is a natural rot resistant wood. Even churches are built from this wood. There are a few companies who export larch from Russia to USA. It is good for decks and other exposed conditions....

We recently went to Yosemite National Park and toured the Mariposa Park as well. Mariposa park is actually the northermost reaches of the Sierra Sequoias. One of 3 variations of the giant redwood trees. Having seen the coastal variety, my wife and I were curious to see what the difference were, if any, between these 2 species.

Like the Larch, Sierra Sequoias' core is one of the most decay-resistant tree in the world. They are resistant to fungi, insect and even fire. At the park today, there's a 'fallen' tree (see attachment below) that is presently laying on the very same ground it fell on over 150 years ago. There's a picture of this tree taken in the 1800s with folks on horse carriages posing along with it. This definitely helps the trees cause since they can live up to +/- 2,000 years.


"...Among the earliest white settlers in California was a small band of Russians who established a colony in the Redwood country at what is now Fort Ross, Sonoma County, about 100 miles north of San Francisco. This Russian colony more than a hundred years ago built numerous buildings hewn from the native Coast Redwood. One of these buildings, a church, still stands at the original site, and is a notable example of the durability of Redwood. As telegraph poles, piling, tunnel timbers, tanks, bridge towers, pipe lines, fence posts, bridges, sills, railroad tunnel timber, floor joists, and railroad trestles, Redwood has persisted with remarkably little decay for periods ranging in duration from 30 to 150 years....

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/shirley/sec6.htm


As for climate control, you still can't beat the insulating advantages of earthen-based materials. Adobes, concrete, blocks, bricks, or even mud. From the ancient Greeks and Roman palaces, to the medieval castles and caves, to the mud houses in central Europe on down to the mud shacks of our prairie native Americans; which still stands today.

Even the high rising communal Soviet spec apartment buildings. With just a little 'piping' heat delivery, these rooms/unit can easily sustain enough heat through the coldest of all winter snow storm.

For the hottest region, mud houses and stone blocks homes still reign supreme for climate control as is the case for the middle-east mud house on 2nd attachment.

One other notable information to add for climate control: The pyramids, made of earthen-based materials, controlled the temperature that played a vital part in the mummification process of the ancient Egyptians which continued for thousands of years - unmanned and unregulated.

[Daveman]

Zero degrees in Seattle? I do hope you mean Celcius. I'ved lived in the Seattle area almost 20 years and don't think I've ever noticed a day colder than 18 degress F!!!

During my seven years in Everett, there were some phenomena to which I had difficulty adjusting...


1) The Breezy Day = 60mph wind gusts
2) Months of rain -- without ever encountering an actual rain drop (only slightly exaggerated)
3) Wearing a jacket while watching July 4th fireworks.
4) Very few have AC in their homes
5) A festival for everything imaginable.
6) $30 car tabs somehow still resulted in a $400 bill.
7) There are places named Yakima, Sequim, and my personal favorite - Skookumchuk 

[SANDRO43]

One other notable information to add for climate control: The pyramids, made of earthen-based materials, controlled the temperature that played a vital part in the mummification process of the ancient Egyptians which continued for thousands of years - unmanned and unregulated.

Not quite. The mummification of pharaohs was performed in temple structures set aside for this sacred purpose, that of court officials in similar venues, and no remains of mummies were found in the Egyptian pyramids - they might have been there, but were sacked by tomb robbers .

The empty granite sarcophagus in the King's Chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza

Anyway, the Egyptians stopped building pyramids about 1800 BC in the 14th dynasty, with only 2 built subsequently (Piyec's in 721 BC at Kurru, Taharqa's in 664 BC at Nuri) in the 26th dynasty.

Most remaining mummies of the Classical Period were found on the west bank of the Nile at Thebes (Luxor) in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, while the more recent mummies of the Ptolemaic period, with naturalistic painted portraits on wooden boards, were found in Crocodilopolis (Faiyum). Their survival in good conditions is mostly due to the extremely dry Egyptian climate.

Mummy portrait of a young woman, 3rd century BC

BTW, an untold number of Egyptian mummies - mostly of the poorer people and buried in the desert -  literally went up in smoke, being used as fuel for locomotives in the late 1800s in lieu of coal and wood .

[GQBlues]

I belong in the camp, largely because of circumstantial evidences, that one of the functions of the pyramids were in fact of mortuary purposes. Sekhemkhet and Snefru's recently investigated cases seem to more than suggest looting had largely been the culprit why most of the chambers found in these pyramids were/are emptied of mummified remains despite some presence of burial artifacts found within these chambers.


http://egyptian-mysteries.com/?q=node/18

...BTW, an untold number of Egyptian mummies - mostly of the poorer people and buried in the desert -  literally went up in smoke, being used as fuel for locomotives in the late 1800s in lieu of coal and wood .

LOL! So there you go, Sandro. There's your answer.

This reminded me of the video I recently saw when trying to determine what was the recorded tallest *living* tree in the world. The tallest tree recorded at one time WAS this massive Eucalyptus tree in Australia. IINM, it was measured to be in excess of 400 feet tall.


But what struck me as funny was the fact the Australians had to cut the tree down so they can 'properly' measure it and confirm it's height.

Blame that snafu on too much Guinness, I think.

[SANDRO43]

I belong in the camp, largely because of circumstantial evidences, that one of the functions of the pyramids were in fact of mortuary purposes.

They probably served 2 purposes: as tombs and as visible statements of the might and power of the pharaoh buried therein .

[mendeleyev]

GQ, did you visit Fort Ross?

There was an anniversary celebration there recently.

[ML]

They probably served 2 purposes: as tombs and as visible statements of the might and power of the pharaoh buried therein .

I have actually been to the Great Pyramids just west of Cairo, as well as to Great Sphinx, etc.

How many others here, have been there?

Glad I got my trip in when I did, rather than risk it now.

However, I did not make it down south to the Valley of the Kings and Queens.

[GQBlues]

GQ, did you visit Fort Ross?

There was an anniversary celebration there recently.

Unfortunately not, Mendy.

We planned to drive to it on our way back because of its heritage significance to wifey, but having driven all the way up to the Oregon border and up and around the coastal redwood route (Avenue of the Giants), we detoured to Hwy. 128 unto the 101 southbound on our way back to LA.

Fort Ross, I believe, would have been another 100 coastal miles from the 128 junction along Hwy. 1, and another 100 to the Bay Area. This was on Memorial weekend when we went to see the Fort Bragg/Coastal Redwoods, and time didn't allow us to do so at the time. July 4th is when we visited Yosemite.

We do have this on our future schedule however.

...How many others here, have been there?

As a teenager with family. I hated it. Too hot and too sandy and not enough chics...I remember saying we could've just gone to Palm Springs and would have at least enjoyed a few more pools.

[ML]

Fort Ross, I believe, would have been another 100 coastal miles from the 128 junction along Hwy. 1, and another 100 to the Bay Area.  . . .

If you, and others, have not already done  it;  I highly recommend a few days sampling the goods at the wineries near there.

I particularly  liked many of the wineries along State Route 29 in and around St. Helena, CA.  Charles Krug one of my favorites, but several of these wineries have been sold over the years, so not sure what names were kept and which not.

Sort of dangerous doing a drive and free taste though; if you stop at several wineries!!

[Wayne]

We were in Egypt three years ago, and were at all the possible sites. We went up the nile by boat; by vehicle to the very south monuments; by train from Aswan to Gisa, to and from Hygerta by vehicle, etc.
 
Some of the monuments were is such dangerous areas that tourists were not allowed. Part of the time we were escorted by armed guards.

[Faux Pas]

I have actually been to the Great Pyramids just west of Cairo, as well as to Great Sphinx, etc.

How many others here, have been there?

Glad I got my trip in when I did, rather than risk it now.

However, I did not make it down south to the Valley of the Kings and Queens.

It's never made the bucket list

[GQBlues]

If you, and others, have not already done  it;  I highly recommend a few days sampling the goods at the wineries near there.

I particularly  liked many of the wineries along State Route 29 in and around St. Helena, CA.  Charles Krug one of my favorites, but several of these wineries have been sold over the years, so not sure what names were kept and which not.

Sort of dangerous doing a drive and free taste though; if you stop at several wineries!!

While I can never be mistaken for a wine purist, there has been some wineries I've gone to throughout the State of California. We stopped at Rodney Strong's wineries on the way back since both my wife and I really liked their reds. The only Sonoma County, non-Coastal, wine I liked.

I don't believe I've gone to St Helena's but had been to the Napa Valley about 4 times. Great location for a weekend date with a gal especially if you stay in one of the many B&Bs. Yes, cops cruise around the wine valley circular waiting for wine tasters to drive out of wineries. Napa favs are Staggs Leap, Joseph Phelps' and Artesa.

There has been a resurgence of good (and better ?) wineries in the southland however. Coastals Sta Barbara and Pismo Beach areas had been getting a lot of attention, as do a couple in the Temecula area, one of which is Callaway (not affiliated with the golf equipment manufacturer, I don't believe).

Just remembered, when I had most of my wife's family with us for a month the first time my wife came, we veered over to Temecula from San Diego so I can take my in laws to some of the wineries. I can't recall the first winery we stopped at, but it wasn't one of the 'free' tasting wineries. We had to pay.

Anyway, we were bar-side and behind us was this huge array of cheeses and items you're supposed to munch on in between wine tasting. When one of the bartender circled to us to see if we'd be interested in the wine he's showcasing, we couldn't find Mumski and Popski. Unbeknownst to us, while we waited for our turn, they were too busy eating the variety of cheeses, croutons, etc...behind us (LOL).

The bartender smiled and motioned towards them and asked us if we can ask them if they'd like to have a glass of wine for their meal. I thought it was the cutest thing there was.

 

[Hammer2722]

During my seven years in Everett, there were some phenomena to which I had difficulty adjusting...


1) The Breezy Day = 60mph wind gusts
2) Months of rain -- without ever encountering an actual rain drop (only slightly exaggerated)
3) Wearing a jacket while watching July 4th fireworks.
4) Very few have AC in their homes
5) A festival for everything imaginable.
6) $30 car tabs somehow still resulted in a $400 bill.
7) There are places named Yakima, Sequim, and my personal favorite - Skookumchuk 

Also, don't forget Humptulips, Puyallyup and Enumclaw!!! 

[Gator]

Their survival in good conditions is mostly due to the extremely dry Egyptian climate.

Aloe's return has turned to mummies.   LOL

The low humidity is a key reason for preservation because it inhibits biological decomposition.  Also important is the removal of organs, packing the body with salts (moisture absorption), and wrapping the body (shape retention). 

[Gator]

I have actually been to the Great Pyramids just west of Cairo, as well as to Great Sphinx, etc.

How many others here, have been there?

Went there in 1975 just after  Sadat had recently evicted the Soviets and was trying to normalize relations with the US.  The country was almost a basketcase with very little foreign aid.  The paper currency was thinner than tissue paper.
 
The Cairo museum had naked 55-watt light bulbs hanging from the ceiling.  It was such a stark contrast between fantastic treasures and surrounding poverty.  With a guide I walked the secret passage to the center of one pyramid. 
 
I went to Luxor about seven years ago.  I found it, particularly Karnak, as impressive as the pyramids and Sphinx. 

[Gator]

And all this food is completely inedible for my Russian stomach, even the so-called salad will be with croutons, bacon and abundantly watered with dressing.

I appreciate your perspective Whynot.  However, I do not understand why your described salad (sounds like a badly made Cesar salad) is inedible while Russians IMO use too much mayonnaise and sour cream (smetana), particularly on salads. 
 
I had one McDonalds hamburger during my 10 years in Russia.  The "secret sauce" had twice the mayonnaise of America's version. 

[SANDRO43]

However, I did not make it down south to the Valley of the Kings and Queens.

Pity, the classic Nile cruise (Luxor to Aswan or viceversa, with also a few days in Cairo) was a very enjoyable 10-day experience. I offered my mum to come along in 1983, and she was always reminiscing about it with awe afterwards.

[Gator]

When you open the door, you find urself on couch in living room and all passer-bies can see what u are doing.

The front door of most American houses opens to an entry hall with the living room to one side.   People on the street can not see the couch through the door but probably thorough a window.   The living room is considered public space and inviting for guests.   

Americans, why do you like carpet floors thats much? Its terrible.

Agree.  Wall-to-wall carpeting was less expensive years ago than wood floors.  Wood floors today are less expensive because of laminate construction.   Carpeting is not as easily cleaned as hard floors. 
 
My wife insisted for health reasons that we move my fine collection of antique Persian and Caucasian carpets.    I did not debate that one very long as her mind was made up.

[GQBlues]

It's never made the bucket list

What?!? But the Taj Mahal did?   

[SANDRO43]

My wife insisted for health reasons that we move my fine collection of antique Persian and Caucasian carpets. I did not debate that one very long as her mind was made up.

Make a gesture of marital defiance: hang them on your walls, where they are unlikely to be trodden on - unless your wife has some peculiar abilities that you never divulged here .

[Gator]

Make a gesture of marital defiance: hang them on your walls, where they are unlikely to be trodden on, unless your wife has some peculiar abilities that you did not disclose here .

She possesses  some amazing abilities as  she worked in a circus as a professional gymnast before being discovered for a long career in fashion modeling. 
 
She claims that the rugs have an odor.   She does have a keen snout, and I believe the odor is the combination of wool and high humidity, the latter from her opening the windows.   
 
My engineering lectures in thermodynamics did not convince her artistic mind, yet she is coming around based on controlled experiments.  And today there are a couple of large Persian rugs now on the floor, and windows are rarely opened.       She even put ice cubes in a drink the other day.   I wanted to take a photo.
 
 

[SANDRO43]

She even put ice cubes in a drink the other day. I wanted to take a photo.

Offer to disclose what you added to her food/drinks, and other married members here will give you top dollars for the secret .

[mendeleyev]

She even put ice cubes in a drink the other day. I wanted to take a photo.

Poor thing, she will catch a cold, be smitten with pneumonia, not have children, or even die an early death from as yet undiscovered diseases carried by little microscopic ice worms.

Ions ago my MIL would secretly make ice cubes for me in a section of the freezer. It was supposed to be a secret but every time Mrs. Mendeleyeva's ears caught that "clink" in my glass, she'd march off to the kitchen, accompanied by other Soviet minded females and raid the offending corner of the freezer. If only the KGB could have been as ruthlessly efficient.

There I'd watch with a twinge of sadness as precious ice cubes, once sparkling like diamonds, bled to a watery death while slowly releasing a little H here, and a little O there, until the only remaining trace were small tell-tale water spots on stainless steel--a silent testament to another cube crushed and taking with it my evaporating dreams of a cold beverage.

Of course MIL would repeat the process the next day and admonish me to do a better job of keeping the secret. 


The blog larussophobe did a nice article on ice here: http://larussophobe.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/why-do-russians-hate-ice/

One of the best quotes from that article:

Ahmed, whom we chatted up in an antiques store, insisted that Russians kept ice out of their drinks as a precaution. “Who knows where that ice came from? It’s probably dirty.” A Russian woman filling out a lottery ticket down the street concurred. “Unlike other nationalities, Russians are very clever. You can’t fool us,” she warned.