6 Perfect Cultural Gifts to Take Home from Colombia

Colombia is geographically located in northeastern side of South America. Its capital city is known as Bogota. Colombia has a population of over 46,000,000 people of which the majority resides in Andes Highlands and in the Caribbean coast. It borders Pacific Ocean to the west and Caribbean Sea to the coast. Colombia borders Panama, Ecuador. Venezuela, Brazil and Peru. Andes mountain range runs from north to south of Colombia, Amazon rain forest comprises 42% of Colombian's land and is located to the east of Andes Mountain. Colombia is known as the 27th largest countries in the world.

Naturally, people love to share experiences that are unique and important to them. One of the activities that can give you more experiences is travelling and anyone will be glad to share it with family and friends. Bringing souvenir as gifts home can be the best way to make your loved ones feel connected to your earlier experience.

Colombia is a home of diversities and you will be able to bring back home many cultural gifts that will excite your loved ones. Some of Colombians cultural gifts that one can bring home include:

Cultural designs

Colombia Cultural Hand Gift

Colombia is rich in cultural arts, handcrafts and designs. Its sizzling fashion and beauty is unique and can't be found anywhere in the world. There are thousands of exhibitions that display different dazzling cultural designs.

Swim suits

Colombians love for fashion is now taking a new turn in the swimwear area. Being a coastal state, swimming costumes are very crucial facets. Colombia started making swim wear in the year 1999 and was aiming at making Colombian swimming costumes the best in the world. They are known to making the most fun and classy designs known as 'Ondade Mar' which gives them a competitive edge over other Latin brands.

Jewelry

Colombia has the most advanced goldsmith and craftsmen who have spectacular history in jewelry making. There is different gold made jewelry which portrays the unique culture of Colombian people. Some of the gold made gifts you can take from Colombia may include; gold weapons, effigies, statues, headdresses, vessels, funeral masks, pottery and many more. The current methods used in gold jewelry making include; hammering, granulation, inlay etc.

Gold objects Colombia

Food

Food can be the best souvenir. Colombia has vast range of traditional food staff; you can be able to bring home Columbians best candy and snacks. Food actually reflects culture that created them and sharing it with your loved ones will make them experience what you had. At the Mercado central you get the opportunity to buy exotic spices, vegetables and fruits

Gold objects

In Costa Rica there is pre-Colombian gold museum near San José. The museum is divided into two: the introductory area meant for orientation and the second level which interprets the evolution of Colombian culture. These levels portray different uses and meaning of gold objects. Here you can purchase gold objects of your choice and take them home for your friends and family.

Needle punctures

There is exciting ear piercing, nose as well as tongue piercing where jewelry is inserted after piercing. This is the widely known custom since the ancient times. You can choose to have your ear or even nose pierced and go show your people that unique culture.

For unique cultural activities no country beats Colombia. There are unforgettable cultural festivals, spectacular beaches, exotic scenery and mouth watering dishes. Om your next holiday plan on visiting Colombia and enjoy the fun that it brings, and don't forget to take home some gifts.

Related post:    Chan Chan - Peru's Greatest Adobe City

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Machu Pitccu Peru- The Story Behind this Ancient Culture

Many people in the world have heard of Peru. When taken into consideration it should be noted that Peru has quite the interesting history of culture. There is no doubt hat Peru has a very deep an interesting heritage and culture. Take a look at the following movie that demonstrates the beauty of Peru

Among many cultural sites, one such culture is known as Machu Picchu. It is located in the Cusco region of Peru and is an Inca site from the 15th century. It is known as the "Lost City of the Incas" and is the most popular icon of the Incan civilization. Today it is a fascination among archaeologists and there are still many things that are not known to us. But regardless, here what we do know:

Pachacuti

1) It is believed that Machu Picchu was built was a royal home for Inca emperors and nobles. Others believe that it was once a women's prison arena and even a defense area. It was also looked at as a retreat and home for one single emperor known as Pachacuti.

2) No one ever knew or had a record of Machu Picchu until the year of 1911. An American historian known as Hiram Bingham stumbled upon the city during that year. He believed that he had found the city known as Vilcabamba, the last Incan stronghold, and he gave quite the interesting account of the discovery.

The Temple of the Sun

3) Many excavations of this Incan site have revealed over 50 burial sites and over 100 skeleton remains. It was initially thought that the majority of the remains were female. This would indicate that Machu Picchu would have been matriarchal society. However this has been discredited since recent research shows that the ratio of males and females

4) Places in Machu Picchu such as The Three Windows, The Sacred Square, The Temple of the Sun, and The Intihuatana were all places used for rituals. These rituals would reveal impressive knowledge of the Incas in regards to physics and cosmology.

5) The Incas in Machu Picchu used an interesting technique to build the city structures. They would cut up the stones used for building with the best precision. Therefore the stones would not perfectly and no mortar was needed to bind them. As a result many of the city structures were highly resistant to events such as earthquakes. This method of building has also led researchers to speculate about extraterrestrial help given to the Incas since there was no modern technology back then. In one way or another they built a city whose ruins still stand today.

6) It is said that the people of the city were self-sustaining. Since the city was built high in the mountains it would be difficult for travelers to get to it. Farming terraces in the city area have also been known to add more speculation to this idea.

Since there is so much interest in Machu Picchu and the history of it is still a mystery it has been named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It was given this honor in July of 2007.

So come on down to Machu Picchu and go back to the ancient times of Peru.

Related post: Chan Chan - Peru's Greatest Adobe City

  
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The Trees of Brazil - Where We See them at Home

One of the most beautiful and wondered continents in the world is South America. It is located in the southern hemisphere and considered to be the fourth biggest continent in the world. The amazon, the world's biggest rainforest, is only one of the many spectacular locations of Southern America. Among the vast rainforest of the Amazon lies different kinds of trees that are very useful to mankind.

These trees can be found in Brazil, South America. Various kinds of trees that are essential for healing and woodworking for buildings and infrastructure can be found in Brazil. Some of these exotic trees can be found only in this particular country. Let's consider some of the trees that exist in Brazil.

Brazilian Acai Tree

Brazilian Acai Tree 

This kind of tree can only be found in this country. It is closely similar to a palm tree that grows in a watery area like that of the Amazon flood plains As one of the worlds essential oil for food, this tree is abundant of export quality 'palm vegetable oil'. The young leaves of the Acai tree serve as a vegetable that has a close similarity of a cabbage. Because it is reach of natural essential oil, the berries of Acai tree is used for heart problems and major types of ailments such as cancers. It is also a good source of anti-oxidant to slow down the aging process.

Brazilian Cumaro Tree

Brazilian Coa

A canopy type of tree like Cumaro can reach up to 160 feet in height. It grows beneath the jungles of the Brazilian Amazon. The barks of Cumaro tree can be used for healing fever by soaking it with a lukewarm water for a bathe. The seed extract is essential for curing infections and various kinds of injuries. Several parts of the Cumaro tree is already being used for treatment of asthma and tonics for cardiovascular diseases.

Brazilian Coa

Coa tree also grows in the remote areas of the jungles in Amazon. It can reach to 120 feet and a diameter of 5 feet which is lumbered for furniture, cabinet and veneer purposes. The reddish and brown color of its wood gives a striking appearance in every home.

Brazilian Mustard Tree

Brazilian Cherry Tree

Unlike the trees that are above-mentioned, this tree can only grow up to 2-meters. It is not for lumber use, the main part is the fruit's seed. It is like the process of fermentation that is good for preservation. It is also added to sauces as it assimilate the taste of various dishes.

Brazilian Cherry Tree 

Considered to be one of the world's hardiest trees, this wood is harvested and sold for flooring purposes. It is stain resistant and its density is higher than that of any exotic species of wood. The wood can even change the temperature of a building, that is why it is recommended to remain the wood inside before installing so that it can adjust to temperatures.

Given this information about exotic trees that exist in the dense part of Brazilian Amazon forest, there uses and benefits will be a great contribution especially in the field of medicine. However, these Brazilian trees are some of the things that features magnificent and astonishing Brazil, South America.

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Travel in Boliva - The Magical Salt Desert of Salar de Uyuni

Are you planning a trip to an alien landscape with nothingness?

We at bolive, salar de uyuni, travel will arrange for your travel to this remote milky way.

Do not forget to visit the world's biggest salt plane, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.

Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia

A 4,000 square mile salt plane in the Bolivian altiplano is one of the planet's few candid void's. It attracts tourists by its emptiness.

You will enjoy catching breath at12, 000 ft above sea level.

It is a high altitude place with no air. Even a short walk makes you breathless.

To enjoy this novel experience you have to cross this huge white space.

That involves a four-day off-road trip from the town of Uyuni to the Chilean border.

There are no roads but shallow tracks made of salt.

Old trucks move on just narrow tire- trails that look like the grooves of an ice floor.

Travelling in small groups with a local driver is the only option.

bolive, salar de uyuni, travel has professional and trained drivers for this shallow track travel.

You can hire a room in a lonely little place built with salt bricks called

Hotel Playa Blanca bolive

Hotel Playa Blanca. Even if the sun is too hot but salt bricks stay cool. The benches are, also, made of salt bricks. Everywhere you will find white salt floors.

It is a long drive to the centre of the salt lake in tough old trucks. But the staff of bolive, salar de uyuni, travel will provide you with all the facilities

In such a remote area you cannot conceive of modern technology.

Along the edge of the pure white lake is the amazing altiplano. It has beautiful multi-coloured ravines. The high peaks of volcanoes present an everlasting feeling of colors.

You can halt during the day.

You can meet the descendants of Pre-Inca Tiwanaku civilizations there.

Pre-Inca Tiwanaku people used to cross the Salar de Uyuni by foot.

You will be surprised to find several Vicachas , kind of chinchilla, and flocks of flamingos pink against the white salt in this big void and airless habitat.

They feed on small brine shrimps in these red lakes.

Then, the mesmerising Isla Del Pescado or Fish Island (for its fin-like shape) is, really, worth seeing. It is a small hill covered with a giant cactus.

From above, you could see only endless white all the way to the skyline like a picture from some horror movie about endless empty space.

You will find a dinosaur bone or a "giant tiger" from the last Ice Age in their local language.

Watch out nights come suddenly at this high altitude.

Hire a room in makeshift hotels or pastoral farmhouses or private residences converted into tourist accommodation. They provide food like beef, chicken and sinewy llama roast with harsh aguardiente to drink.

You will definitely enjoy the fresh, thin, pure, clean air of this white void.

Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia white milky way

The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is as even as Earth's arch and from space it looks like a brilliant white milky way.

It looks like a mirror facing sky after a winter rain shower.

It is the place to find the peace and the strangeness of life.

You may get hooked by the nothingness of this white great empty space.

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10 Great Waterfalls in Central and South America. Don't Miss It!

Central America is a vast region filled with beautiful waterfalls. It is not easy to come up with a list of the top 10 waterfalls because this is subjective to personal experience.

Having said that, listed below is a list of some of the breath taking waterfalls.

1. Chorro El Macho

This is arguably the most famous waterfall in the area of El Valle Panama. It is located just a few kilometers north of El Valle near the canopy tour entrance. It is 85 meters high and having a large swimming pool made of rocks below the falls where you can take a refreshing bath. It is best visited during the summer since you can take excellent photographs.

2. Casacada San Ramon-Nicaragua

It's a 40 meter waterfall and offers the most classic hike. You can reach it by taking the morning bus from Moyogalpa or Altagracia and then alight at the ecological station. You then take a 4 hour trek following a clear marked trail to the mossy. The public transportation buses return to San Ramon in the afternoon.

3. Catarata de Chinata

This is a towering 580m waterfall found south of Pedro Ruiz in Northern Peru. It has a flash flood which changes the width of the fall in less than one minute. It is best visited during clear weather where you can appreciate its beauty.

4. Cascada Los Tercios

It is a relatively small waterfall but formation of the rocks is interesting to watch. It is situated in Suchitoto, El Salvador and to visit it, you go south on the road in front of Iglesia Santa Lucia some 1.5 km Down the road.

5. Angel falls

Angel falls

This is the tallest waterfall in the world. It has a total drop of 979m and some 807m uninterrupted fall. It is located deep in the Venezuelan rainforest and the waters originating from the Tepuy Mountain. The waters originate from the soggy clouds of the mountain top making it very memorable.

6. Centro Turistico Pulhapanzak

This is an amazing 43 m waterfall on the Rio Amapa in Honduras. It is surrounded by a well kept park. It is very easy to reach there and once there, the guides will tour you around. It is a popular swimming spot and it costs very little because there are no fees charged but you have to tip the guides 40-60 dollars.

7.Chorro de Las Mozas

This is the most accessible of the many waterfalls around the El VALLE Panama. It is also known as the Young women Falls. It is a very popular spot for swimming since it has the near perfect spring weather all year round.

Iguassu falls

8. Iguassu falls

It has a brink distance of about 2 km and an average flow of 1000 cubic meters of water per second. It falls among the best waterfalls in Central America and also the world. It consists of 275 separate waterfalls and cascades. It offers an intimate view of the surrounding rainforest.

9. La Catarata Del la Fortuna

This is a sparkling clear water ribbon of 70m that pours a canyon of dark volcanic rocks. It is located in La Fortuna and around in Costa Rica. It is about 4km from the turnoff on the road to San Ramon. You can also choose to walk and enjoy the spectacular view of the Cerro Chato through the farms and the many hotels along the road.

10. Centro Turictico Catarats Nauyaca.

It is located in Costa Rica in Quepos TO Dominical. It is owned and operated by a Costa Rican family and is home to a number of wonderful waterfalls protected by a primary and secondary forest. Since it is privately owned there are no vehicles going there but you can hire a horse. Having noticed the family in advance, a tour guide can be arranged, accommodation with the family and a guided ride.

As mentioned earlier, Central America is a very large region and you cannot possibly say these are the top most waterfalls in the region. It is highly recommended that you visit the place and experience it for yourself.

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Top 6 Places to Visit in Argentina

Argentina is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has a variety of different activities for vacationers and adventurers to do. The culture in Argentina is deep and rich. The food diversity is fantastic. And the architecture in major cities is something that is worth seeing. There are also many tours that can be taken. There are many parks that can be enjoyed as well. The climate is very diverse, so trips through the rain forest are fun. You can even go skiing where the glaciers are in this country. ere are our top picks six places to visit in this wonderful country.

Buenos Aires

1. Buenos Aires - Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city in Argentina. Many people who visit this country inevitably end up here. It is the pace to be in Argentina. Here the culture is fantastic and there are many things to do during both day and night. There are many museums, theaters, and other activities to see and experience during the day. There are also many nightclubs operating in the evening to early to early morning hours. This city offers both types of experience. The food in this city is also very diverse. You will find a number of different cuisines to your liking in this area.

Cordoba

2. Cordoba - Cordoba is one of the best places to visit if you want to know more about the culture of Argentina or how life was different in Argentina as it became what it is today. The architecture in this city will remind you of colonial times. This city is s bit simpler, but has a rich and long history that can be explored while here.

3. Patagonia- Patagonia is one of the most interesting places to travel to in Argentina. This city is home to a very special route each year. Whales travel through this area to get back to their home of Peninsula Valdez. There is also art that can be observed in this area. There are both contemporary artists and art painted on cave walls from the distant past. This area will allow you to enjoy the climate, wildlife, and culture of Argentina.

Mendoza

4. Mendoza- Mendoza is an area that has prospered in its history. It is a key place of commerce in Argentina. It has both vineyards and snow. There are a wide variety of activities to do here if you are an outdoor enthusiast. You can ski all you want in this area at one of several ski resorts. You can also taste fresh wine from the vineyards as well. Other activities include being able to go kayaking, biking, or hiking. Nature in this area is very beautiful. If you are looking for a place to relax and re-connect with yourself, this is definitely the best place to travel to.

5. Talampaya- This are is one which holds some very interesting history. It is home to extinct species of dinosaurs. Some of the earliest people to be on earth also inhabited this area. Most of this area is desert, but there have been many archaeological discoveries here. If you have an interest in this you should contact someone in the area who gives tours of this place.

6. Tiera del Fuego- This area is one the most beautiful you will find. The plant life here is both exotic and extravagant. You will not see many in other areas. There are also lot things to do such as kayaking, snorkeling, diving, hiking, and biking.

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Great Accommodation options in Latin America

When visiting Latin America it is always better to review all the accommodation options that you can avail. In this article you will find details about all the types of accommodation options that Latin America can provide, which will help you in choosing the one which is most affordable and comfortable for you.

Great Accommodation Options in Latin America

Hotels in Latin America

Hotels

There are several types of hotels that you can choose from depending on your budget. There are range of hotels to choose from which include mid-range hotels and luxury hotels. There are several affordable options available.

Advantages: You get several facilities which include the privacy, security and house cleaning.

Disadvantages: The food you get is usually not that good. It is also costly to stay in hotels compared to many other options.

Hostels

Hostels in Latin America give you plenty of options as they also have staffs which are well versed in many languages. The social atmosphere of the hostels is the best if you love that environment. Due to all the extra features, hostels are not usually the cheapest option but they are cheaper than any decent hotel.

Advantages: You get basic services like internet, room service at affordable prices. Also you get the nice atmosphere to make new friends.

Disadvantages: you don't get any luxury facilities. Also it is difficult to get the security and privacy of the hotels. 

Guest Houses

Guest Houses in Latin America

This accommodation option comes in between hotels and hostels, you went get here the crowd of hostels, but you will also not get the service of the hotels. You can choose between guest houses that provide single or multiple beds per room. Most of these guest houses are run by some family owner and thus the service they provide varies greatly.

Advantages: It is a cheap option with decent privacy and nice services.

Disadvantages: There is no reliability of the service as it is provided usually by untrained professionals. There is very less security.

Dorms

These are the cheapest option of accommodation. But the cheap price also comes with nearly zero personalized service. Also these places re crowded with people. But it can save you plenty of money which you can spend at other places during the trip.

Advantages: It is the most affordable way to stay.

Disadvantages: There is zero privacy, usually security for luggage is also not reliable, and there are no services.

Private Rooms

Private Rooms in Latin America

If you are going to stay for long time than it is a good option as it's affordable and also gives you privacy. Even though the security may not be high and the service may also be highly variable.

Advantages: When staying for long time it can be very cheap, you get full privacy, security is decent.

Disadvantages: Service you get will be not t

hat good; facilities will also be very less.

Apartments

This is good option if you are going to stay for longer period and can afford to pay a little extra when compared to private rooms. You get complete privacy.

Advantages: For long stays this is best option as you get full privacy. You also get the services that you can afford.

Disadvantages: Security is variable and you should have some knowledge of language and culture of Latin America.

If you are planning to visit Latin America, choosing the right accommodation from above can make plenty of impact on cost of your tour plans.

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Chan Chan - Peru's Greatest Adobe City

Chan Chan which is located in Peru, near Trujillo (header image), and has been declared as the largest Pre Colombian city. To be precise it is located in the region of La Libertad in Peru. The excavating of the city was lead by archaeologists Carol Mackey and Michael E. Moseley under the Harvard University Moche Valley/Chan Chan Project. The city is well known for its archaeology

and culture.

Talking about the architecture of the city there are ten walled citadels that has got temples, residences, ceremonial rooms and various types of reservoirs. If you see the city from the top it will resemble a triangle surrounded by walls that are almost 50 to 60 feet tall. The walls are designed beautifully with intricate designs carved on the surface and the walls are covered with adobe bricks. The designs on the walls have different patterns such as small mammals, fish and birds. A labyrinth of passages results due to the several walls constructed throughout the city.

The City of Chan Chan

The agricultural practice that was followed in the city of Chan Chan is quite interesting. The food plants that were mainly cultivated here were squash, gourds, cotton. The cultivable land consisted mainly of the river flood plain. 

Initially, when this city was formed people used to depend on wells, which were almost 15 meters deep, to obtain water for agricultural and other purposes. However, when people permanently started settling in the city of Chan Chan they required more agricultural land for cultivating of food crops. As results of this, canals were dug to distribute water from the river Moche to different parts of the city. In this city there were water reserves that were known as hauchaques.

Food habits in Chan Chan were a little different. Their main source of food was marine wildlife. This was mainly due to the fact that this city was located very close to the sea. The people consumed sea lion, shallow water fishes, mullet, shore birds, rays, sharks and purple mussel.

There are no significant accounts in the form of written record or painting to show the religious activity that was followed in this city. It is amazing to note that this city was not used as a religious center. The people of this city also had the habit of traveling to nearby pilgrimage centers like the great cities of Pacatnamu and Pachacamac. 

Chan Chan can under the Kingdom of Chimor and these people recognized four governmental principles. The four principles were, divine kingship, split inheritance, the people's

property as divine right and last but not the least military expansionism. These four criteria not only dictated the ruler ship but also helped to split the various levels of the government.

Kingdom of Chimor

Data show that the city Chan Chan had trade relations with neighboring areas. The people of this city certainly traded with Chincha people. Spondylus, pendants, beads found in graves of the people of this city show that they also traded with people living in Equador. 

The burial patterns followed in Chan Chan ranged from elaborate to simple burials. In this site there are a large number of sub- floor burials and intact burial mounds are also different from other places. The burial patters clearly stated the difference in class. The powerful and rich were buried near the palaces in the center area of the city.

It is no wonder that the city Chan Chan has been added in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1986 because this city has witnessed history. It was constructed in 850 AD and lasted till 1470.

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The Story Of Chan Chan In Peru

Around six hundred years ago, Chan Chan, a city in the northern part of Peru, was the biggest American city. There were thousands of structures. Some walls go up to 30 ft. The city was like a maze. There were lots of temples and palaces, all extremely long and adorned with art. Indeed, Chan Chan was wealthy. There was one thing it lacked though, and that's water. Nowadays, however, Chan Chan is experiencing the opposite! Such heavy rains visit it often, and it's no longer a secret that these rains are really threatening the city.

Chan Chan In Peru

Chan Chan is very close to the Pacific coast. It used to be Chimu's capital, and that civilization existed from 850 AD up to the year 1470. During that time, a very strong empire was leading South Ecuador up to Central Peru. In the 15th century, Chan Chan's population reached 60,000, and that population was mostly comprised of workers of the monarch. There were also higher classes, and these ones were made of mostly the professionals and priests. This civilization believed that not all men are equal. Their mythology says that the world was initially three eggs: gold eggs represented the elite, silver eggs represented their wives, and everyone else was copper.

The city stood in a very unfortunate part of the desert. Rainfall in that area was less than 1/10 inch a year. However, there was a sophisticated system used in the wells and canals that made sure that the gardens and fields remained healthy. In the year 1000, the water table dropped, but the rulers of Chimu were smart enough to overcome this through diverting water from the river of Chicama.

The civilization of Chimu is considered the first real society that's very much inclined to engineering. The methods used in the civilization were not known to North America and Europe when they were being used in Chimu. However, the civilization had no form of language that can be used in measuring and blueprints drafting. 

Chimu

The unpredictability of the supply of water in Chimu was quite a problem, but the sea surrounding it was always a good solution. There exists the Humboldt Current that makes sure that the water reaching Chimu is very rich in nutrients. Thus, there were lots of sea creatures that were very much edible. Indeed, food wasn't a problem.

In the year 1470, however, the heydays of Chan Chan drew to an end. The Inca overpowered the city, and the Chimu Empire broke down. Most of the skilled were brought to Cuzco, the capital of the Incas. When the Spanish conquerors set foot on Chan Chan, it was completely abandoned. There was still so much treasure left, though. The Spaniards decided to take advantage of this, and to mine in the city.

Chan Chan, little by little, deteriorated. Weather is not its ally. The El Niño storms constantly visited it, and that wasn't at all good. Up to this day, Chan Chan is still visited by harsh rainfall. The city is dissolving from precious bricks to mud. Some say that it may be wise to put a roof all over the city, but other experts debate that this is impractical.

While Chan Chan may be on its way to disappearance, the culture and habits the Chimu civilization had will forever be treasured.

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