Back in the paleotechnic dawn of the 21st century, my mother’s request was understandable. “Just call me once a week to let me know you’re alive,” she said, as I wandered off across… Continue reading
In any other year, moving across an ocean would be the noteworthy item. Or going back to the US to see some of the truly remarkable people who fill my world with love… Continue reading
The Luxembourgians may have seen it as a free vacation. They needed one in the heady days of 2007, when the surging European Union was adding two more countries, expanding the cooperation that… Continue reading
I woke up with the rest of the bus when we stopped somewhere in the frosting darkness two hours north of Reykjavik. Being on a tour makes me feel like a spy, but… Continue reading
The original title of this blog was “A Year Without Holidays” when my first 2-month plan at backpacking stretched 14 months instead. I thought being abroad meant I wouldn’t get to have my… Continue reading
I don’t remember where I was when I realized I was grumpy. Some airport. But the seed of what I want to harvest now was when I realized I was cranky as usual… Continue reading
Yesterday, about a quarter of Dutch people forgot what made their country great. I have long admired the country that developed the principles of liberty, equality, tolerance, and fairness that underpin my sense… Continue reading
When I mention my tour of Benelux, people sometimes ask “What is that?” This is understandable, since Benelux, like Holland, is not on any map, even though most of the people asking the… Continue reading
Romania is a place of endless human stories, kings and autocrats and invaders and defenders and the people caught up in all of it. But the day after walking on a church’s rampart… Continue reading
Grand clashing tides of history shaped our world, but it’s hard to feel the normal humans within them. How do you get a feeling for Napoleon when he first woke up in the… Continue reading
I went into the nice European restaurant and asked for a table for one. Or two, that’s fine, the question at the end of this has nothing to do with how many people… Continue reading
