Sunday, May 31, 2009

Partners: Ibiza Lifestyle
Madrid is the capital of Spain, and is located almost exactly in the centre of the country. The provinces Avila, Segovia, Guadalajara, Cuenca and Toledo border Madrid, and with an elevation of over 2 thousand feet, it is also the highest capital in Europe and home to over 3 million people. Madrid is also home to the royal family, Spanish parliament, banking, and is the administration hub of Spain.

Madrid is a lively, cosmopolitan city full of culture and artistic activity and has an endless supply of bars, which are busy well into the early hours. One of the best ways to get around the city is on the efficient Metro System. There are 11 numbered and colour-coded lines that are easy to follow and extend to most of the holiday attractions Madrid has to offer.

Madrid Plaza Mayor
The main centrepiece in Madrid is the Plaza Mayor. This vast traffic-free cobbled rectangle is completely surrounded by 17th Century architectural buildings, the most prominent being the Casa de la Panaderia (Bakers' Guild), which is covered with modern allegorical murals. Another fantastic building is the Casa de la Carniceria (Butchers' Guild) whose facade is also covered with vibrant paintings. There are nine gateway entrances leading into Plaza Mayor and in the centre stands the 17th century triumphant statue of King Filipe III. The spectacular scenery and ambiance is best appreciated from the many bars within the square and outdoor seating that sprawls out onto the cobbles.

Holiday visits to El Rastro
El Rastro is Madrid's famous Sunday flea market, which can be found on Plaza de Cascorro and Calle Ribera de Curtidores. It is an excellent way to spend the day, and an experience in itself to join the thousands of people all squeezed into the tiny streets. The variety of goods on sale is amazing with everything from clothes, books and leather goods to plants, tools and anything you could care to imagine. The best time to visit the market is early morning when the stalls are just setting up. By mid-afternoon it will be hard to move either into or out of the market what with the thousands of people who visit every week.

Madrid Palacio Real
Palacio Real is located just north of Plaza Mayor in Calle Bailén and can be reached on the Metro underground at Opera, Plaza de España. It is a formidable Palace that overlooks the huge square Plaza de Armas. Construction of the Palace took 26 years to complete and it was occupied from the late 18th century until 1931 when King Alfonso XIII was forced to abdicate. Nowadays the palace is only used for formal occasions as King Juan Carlos I lives elsewhere. The Palace can be enjoyed at your leisure, or you could join an organised tour, which will take in the most interesting rooms. Off the main entrance is the Botica Real, rooms used as a pharmacy containing jars of medicines and herbs. Other highlights include the Thrown Room used for royal receptions, the Gasparini Rooms named after their Neapolitan Designer and the Royal Armoury with its suits of armour and weapons.

Madrid is about as far away from any coast of Spain as you could get, but come August and some of the hottest temperatures to be found anywhere in Spain, the city becomes deserted as many Spanish leave the city for surrounding towns and cooler coastal resorts. The many motorways that leave the city start their life at the bustling Puerta del Sol where 10 streets converge to a point known as 'Kilometre 0’, which is where all distances in Spain are measured from. The spot is identified by a small plaque on the south side of the square, which is under the clock that Spaniards tune in to at midnight on New Year's Eve, eating one grape for good luck with each strike of the bell. The Puerta del Sol buzzes with life and one of the best ways to enjoy it is from one of the many fine street bars and restaurants.
Partners website: http://ibizalife.synthasite.com

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Patners: Ibiza Lifestyle

As people age, the effects of gravity and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth, the jaw line grows slack and jowly, and folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. One should know that the facelift can't stop the aging process. It can only "set back the clock", improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat while tightening underlying muscles and redraping the skin of your face and neck. A face lift can also be done along with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery or nose reshaping.

Suitable candidates for a face lift:

  • A man or a woman whose face and neck have begun to sag but whose skin still has some elasticity.
  • Whose patients bone structure is strong and well defined.
  • Most patients are in their forties to sixties. But a face lift can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.
  • A face lift can make you look younger and fresher. It may enhance your self confidence in the process but it can't give you a totally different look, nor can it restore the vitality of your youth.

Risks involved:

  • When a facelift is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, the complications and risks involved are minor. Follow the doctors advise closely to reduce your risks.
  • Hematoma C a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by the surgeon.
  • Injury to the nerves that control facial muscles which are usually temporary.
  • Infection and reactions to anesthesia.
  • Smokers are usually affected by poor healing.

Planning your surgery:

The plastic surgeon will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone. Discuss your goals with the plastic surgeon. The surgeon will check for medical problems such as high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars. You will be asked to stop smoking for few weeks before and after the surgery as it inhibits blood flow to the skin and healing process. You will be asked to stop taking aspirin for it effects clotting.

A face lift is usually done on an out patient basis, but some surgeons may hospitalize the patient for a day when using general anesthesia. Most face lifts are performed under local anesthesia combined with a sedative to make you drowsy.

Surgery:

A face lift usually takes several hours. Every surgeon performs the procedure in his or her own way. Some complete one side of the face at a time and others move back and forth between the sides. The incisions are started above the hair line at the temples, extend in the natural line in front of the ear, and continue behind the ear lobe to the lower scalp. A small incision is made under the chin, if the neck needs work.

The surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat is either trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve contour. Then the underlying muscle and membrane is tightened, the skin is pulled back and excess skin is removed. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions. Metal clips may be used on the scalp. After the surgery a drain tube is placed under the skin behind the ear to drain any blood that might collect there. The head may be loosely wrapped in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.

Post operative procedure:

If there is any discomfort it can be minimized with pain medication. Numbness of the skin is quite normal and will disappear in a month. To keep the swelling down your head should be kept elevated and still for a couple of days. Drain tube and bandages will be removed after one to five days. Your face may appear bruised and puffy but in a few weeks you will look normal. Stitches will be removed after five days. The scalp will take longer to heal. Patients are back to work in about ten days after surgery. By the third week you will look and feel much better.

Instructions to be followed:


  • During the first week after surgery your skin will be tender and numb. Be gentle with your face and hair.
  • Avoid strenuous activity.
  • Avoid alcohol, steam baths and saunas for several months.
  • Get plenty of rest, let the body heal.

Your new look:

Even after the swelling and bruises are gone the hair around your temples may be thin and your skin may feel dry and rough for several months. The scars are hidden by your hair or in the natural creases of your face and ears. They will fade with time and are scarcely visible. Having a face lift does not stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time.