Oktoberfest in Munich
photo by Arkitect It is almost that time of year when lovely young ladies must be admired for their ability to carry their own weight in beer steins. There is something about Oktoberfest that always brings a smile to my face. Perhaps it is the flowing sudsy goodness that cools the throat and warms the blood. Perhaps it is the…no it’s the beer. One thing for sure is that while Oktoberfest can be enjoyed anywhere in the world, Munich Germany is undeniably a place where even the most seasoned traveler will do a double-take and find the unexpected happening before their eyes. Englischer ...
Boston’s Vintage Postcards
Photo Courtesy of Boston Public Library In a recent post titled “Vintage Blogger? Early Twentieth Century Blogging” I discussed how postcards create lasting memories of travel experiences. On my daily trip to Intelligent Travel, National Geographic’s travel blog, I discovered a post about vintage postcards going on display at the Boston Public Library. For those able to visit the display at Copley Square, I strongly recommend it. Postcards are more than simple notes from a far off land. These 6” x 4” works of art are mementos that last the ages. The era of digital communication lacks the subtle nuances of earlier times, ...
Captain Keiff on Cliff Island Maine
Like an heirloom quilt the fog covered Casco Bay, heavy and sated with reminiscent smells. Salt, fish and iodine sat steady in the air. Sound seemed to be tethered to its source. No echoes lingering. The normal sea sounds were there, but finite. Like a decision made with no room for question, every noise ended in a dull thud the instant it happened. Perhaps this is the reason fog seems so mysterious. It takes the normal environment and attacks the senses in an unfamiliar way. For a young boy on a newly built dory, alone on an adventure, fog is the ...
Mackworth Island: Horror and Faeries remain.
When it comes to gathering grist for the literary mill, it is no wonder Stephen King calls Maine home. The city of Derry and small town of Castle Rock may be creations in the mind of America’s most loved horror novelist, but there is no shortage of eerie hamlets and island villages shrouded with mist and terror. The film industry often shows tourists escaping to the rocky shores of Maine to bask in the hallmark like ambience of a bygone era where antique shops line Main Street, the ice cream shops make their own, every town has a white steeple and ...
Building My First Wooden Boat
One of the most memorable acts of my childhood was building my first boat. I had visions of sailing the little skiff across the foggy Maine harbor, chasing seals and dodging lobster buoys. My grandfather drove me to Friendship, home of the Friendship Sloop, to get the plans for a little sailing skiff that was easy enough for a 12 year old boy to build (with a little guidance of course) in the barn. The smell of the freshly cut wood drying in the kiln at the lumber yard was intoxicating. I remember choosing every plank with care the way a ...
A Free Gift: Six Day Italian Course
YES! I want to claim my free instant access to the Rocket Italian 6 day Learn Italian course ($27 value). Your Name: Your Email Address: (This is a private and fully protected mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time).
Haven: A Television Show That Calls Me Home.
Perhaps it’s the heat. I’m almost embarrassed to say I have never really been a big fan of summer in the South. Whether it was living in Florida or the Caribbean, summer just drains me to a useless puddle of lazy soup. I lose all desire to get out and do the things I love to do the rest of the year. I end up watching a lot of television, which I have always been opposed to. It is mind numbing and the commercials insult my intelligence. But then I suppose being opposed to something has never really prevented me ...
Dominican Republic Holidays And Festivals
The holidays and festivals in the Dominican Republic are some of the most important and festive celebrations in the whole world. The pageantry, lively music, garish costumes, and the pleased disposition of its locals all help with the ebullience of the festivities. Tourists internationally come regularly to the beautiful island to join in on the fun and excitement. Most of other holidays being celebrated in the Dominican Republic pay homage to the tenets of Christianity. This is no surprise because the Dominican culture is of Hispanic origin. In point of fact, there seems to be a celebration everyday from somewhere in ...
Caribbean Ice
It’s that smell. The same aroma that is associated with every Caribbean bar in the morning. Like a coke gone flat, the flavor is merely reminiscent. A bar in the morning is a bubble-less party. Sun tan oil, perfume, vacation only cigar smoke, sweat and liquor hang in the atmosphere like the hundreds of dusty bras displaying Spring Break 2000 and Love From Michigan - in the standard black Sharpie of course. The sign outside reads the customary incongruous name, The Purple Penguin, Drunken Dolphin or some supplementary attempt at wit; or dare I say uniqueness. ICE. ...
Human Safaris
Traveler is a rather innocuous title. My goals are benign; observe and learn about people, immerse myself into the culture, learn the language, eat the food and befriend the locals. This lifestyle is enlightening and rewarding. I reward myself with the title of Global Citizen. There are times when I’m ashamed to be cast into the mold of a common title. There are those that would take the freedom of travel too far. I am not talking about camping out on land that is posted “No Trespassing”, I am talking about genocide. That’s a pretty bold word to use. Genocide ...
Dinner in the Jungle
The waterlogged skiff seemed to be held together with barnacles and hope. With each chop the transom bent under the weight of the coverless outboard motor. I have sailed through hurricanes, fallen overboard, rode 30 foot waves, had masts snap in two and come crashing down around me in a tangle of ropes and cables; the 25-minute boat ride to Almirante was as white knuckled a passage as I ever care to endure. The wind plastered Lisa’s hair back from her face. Oblivious to the impending doom, she forged ahead through the waves at full throttle. Her real name wasn’t Lisa; ...
Letter to BP CEO Tony Hayward
Hi Tony, Can I call you Tony? I feel like we have gotten so close lately. I just wanted to drop you a note to congratulate you on your yacht doing so well in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. As a former sailor and a former asset owner, I know how exciting it can be. I am sorry for not writing sooner. I know there is no excuse and I feel silly trying but since the fishing industry over here on the Gulf has taken a turn for the worse, I cannot afford internet at home. And with ...
Vintage Blogger? Early 20th Century Blogging
Alma is 89. The Florida afternoon storm knocked the power out for a few minutes so I decided to go next door and check on my favorite octogenarian. There is no quick escape from the abode of Alma. Once over the threshold, that singular, unidentifiable smell found only in the homes of the elderly, an abundance of yellowing lace and hint of floury-yeasty aroma from fresh baking, invades the senses in a not unpleasant manner. After checking the circuit breakers and resetting the range clock, I take my place on the sofa for the inevitable discussion on the present and horrid ...
The Belarus Brothers
It wasn’t until the second day of my multi day taxi hire that the transplanted Belarusian driver graduated from the “email exchange- never to be followed up on” status, to new friend. Yuri knew his way around the Ukraine countryside exclusively at oh shit handle speeds. While I found his stories fascinating, I had to interject at the last second in order to stop anywhere. “Bad laws in Belarus now. No one can be president.” “I thought Belarus has a president.” “Just one, no more.” “How many does it need? Up there on the left, sign says гастроном. A deli is good enough for me, I’m ...
Featured
Oktoberfest in Munich
photo by Arkitect It is almost that time of year when lovely young ladies must be admired for their ability to carry their own weight in beer steins. There is something about Oktoberfest that always brings a smile to my face. Perhaps it is the flowing sudsy goodness that cools the throat and warms the blood. Perhaps it is the…no it’s the beer. One thing for sure is that while Oktoberfest can... [Read more]
Boston’s Vintage Postcards
Photo Courtesy of Boston Public Library In a recent post titled “Vintage Blogger? Early Twentieth Century Blogging” I discussed how postcards create lasting memories of travel experiences. On my daily trip to Intelligent Travel, National Geographic’s travel blog, I discovered a post about vintage postcards going on display at the Boston Public Library. For those able to visit the display at... [Read more]
Captain Keiff on Cliff Island Maine
Like an heirloom quilt the fog covered Casco Bay, heavy and sated with reminiscent smells. Salt, fish and iodine sat steady in the air. Sound seemed to be tethered to its source. No echoes lingering. The normal sea sounds were there, but finite. Like a decision made with no room for question, every noise ended in a dull thud the instant it happened. Perhaps this is the reason fog seems so mysterious.... [Read more]
Mackworth Island: Horror and Faeries remain.
When it comes to gathering grist for the literary mill, it is no wonder Stephen King calls Maine home. The city of Derry and small town of Castle Rock may be creations in the mind of America’s most loved horror novelist, but there is no shortage of eerie hamlets and island villages shrouded with mist and terror. The film industry often shows tourists escaping to the rocky shores of Maine to bask... [Read more]
Building My First Wooden Boat
One of the most memorable acts of my childhood was building my first boat. I had visions of sailing the little skiff across the foggy Maine harbor, chasing seals and dodging lobster buoys. My grandfather drove me to Friendship, home of the Friendship Sloop, to get the plans for a little sailing skiff that was easy enough for a 12 year old boy to build (with a little guidance of course) in the barn. The... [Read more]
A Free Gift: Six Day Italian Course
YES! I want to claim my free instant access to the Rocket Italian 6 day Learn Italian course ($27 value). Your Name: Your Email Address: (This is a private and fully protected mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time). Read More →
Haven: A Television Show That Calls Me Home.
Perhaps it’s the heat. I’m almost embarrassed to say I have never really been a big fan of summer in the South. Whether it was living in Florida or the Caribbean, summer just drains me to a useless puddle of lazy soup. I lose all desire to get out and do the things I love to do the rest of the year. I end up watching a lot of television, which I have always been opposed to. It is mind numbing... [Read more]
Dominican Republic Holidays And Festivals
The holidays and festivals in the Dominican Republic are some of the most important and festive celebrations in the whole world. The pageantry, lively music, garish costumes, and the pleased disposition of its locals all help with the ebullience of the festivities. Tourists internationally come regularly to the beautiful island to join in on the fun and excitement. Most of other holidays being celebrated... [Read more]
Caribbean Ice
It’s that smell. The same aroma that is associated with every Caribbean bar in the morning. Like a coke gone flat, the flavor is merely reminiscent. A bar in the morning is a bubble-less party. Sun tan oil, perfume, vacation only cigar smoke, sweat and liquor hang in the atmosphere like the hundreds of dusty bras displaying Spring Break 2000 and Love From Michigan – in the standard black... [Read more]
Granada, Spain Travel Video Guide
Another great travel video by Mark Shea at Overlander.TV Read More →
Human Safaris
Traveler is a rather innocuous title. My goals are benign; observe and learn about people, immerse myself into the culture, learn the language, eat the food and befriend the locals. This lifestyle is enlightening and rewarding. I reward myself with the title of Global Citizen. There are times when I’m ashamed to be cast into the mold of a common title. There are those that would take the freedom... [Read more]
Dinner in the Jungle
The waterlogged skiff seemed to be held together with barnacles and hope. With each chop the transom bent under the weight of the coverless outboard motor. I have sailed through hurricanes, fallen overboard, rode 30 foot waves, had masts snap in two and come crashing down around me in a tangle of ropes and cables; the 25-minute boat ride to Almirante was as white knuckled a passage as I ever care... [Read more]
Letter to BP CEO Tony Hayward
Hi Tony, Can I call you Tony? I feel like we have gotten so close lately. I just wanted to drop you a note to congratulate you on your yacht doing so well in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. As a former sailor and a former asset owner, I know how exciting it can be. I am sorry for not writing sooner. I know there is no excuse and I feel silly trying but since the fishing industry... [Read more]
Vintage Blogger? Early 20th Century Blogging
Alma is 89. The Florida afternoon storm knocked the power out for a few minutes so I decided to go next door and check on my favorite octogenarian. There is no quick escape from the abode of Alma. Once over the threshold, that singular, unidentifiable smell found only in the homes of the elderly, an abundance of yellowing lace and hint of floury-yeasty aroma from fresh baking, invades the senses in... [Read more]
The Belarus Brothers
It wasn’t until the second day of my multi day taxi hire that the transplanted Belarusian driver graduated from the “email exchange- never to be followed up on” status, to new friend. Yuri knew his way around the Ukraine countryside exclusively at oh shit handle speeds. While I found his stories fascinating, I had to interject at the last second in order to stop anywhere. “Bad laws in Belarus... [Read more]
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