Category Archives: Portugal

One Hundred Years Ago, the Habsburg Empire was finished for good – April 1922: Emperor Karl I

Zur deutschen Fassung. In April 1922, so much stuff happened that, as earth-shattering as each of the events may have been, I can only devote a cursory glance to some of them. Like the death of his beloved majesty, Emperor … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, History, Hungary, Madeira, Portugal | 3 Comments

Lisbon in the Time of Corona, Cholera and Cocaine

Zur deutschen Fassung. “All roads lead to Rome,” the saying went when I was young. But in the centuries since, Lusitania has won its freedom, and all roads to and from the Azores lead through Lisbon. And so it happened … Continue reading

Posted in Photography, Portugal, Travel | Tagged , | 23 Comments

One Hundred Years Ago, an Ex-Emperor wanted to have another go at it – October 1921: Karl of Austria-Hungary

Zur deutschen Fassung. After World War I, four empires lay in ruins. The former rulers dealt with sudden unemployment in very different ways. The Russian Czar Nicholas II got himself shot. The Ottoman Grand Vizier Talât Pasha got himself shot. … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, History, Hungary, Madeira, Portugal | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Holy Ghosts of the Azores

After several months of research in archives, in old ruins, and especially in every bar on the island, I am ready to disclose the mysteries I have uncovered – from Holy Ghosts to the Holy Grail. Continue reading

Posted in Azores, History, Photography, Portugal, Religion, Travel | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Stranded on another island

Just when I thought I was going home, I got stranded on yet another island. Continue reading

Posted in Azores, Portugal, Travel | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Pizza Consultation

Zur deutschen Fassung dieser Geschichte. I called the pizza place to order a Big American pizza. Deviating from the usual procedure, the woman from the pizzeria did not accept the order with joy. Instead, she became rather serious: “Well, about … Continue reading

Posted in Azores, Food, Portugal | Tagged | 5 Comments

Message in a Bottle (from the Azores)

Zur deutschen Fassung dieses Artikels. If you are stuck on an island in the Atlantic Ocean long enough, stories of Edgar Allan Poe, Jules Verne and Astrid Lindgren come to mind. Especially when the mail boat apparently don’t sail, because … Continue reading

Posted in Azores, Photography, Portugal, Travel | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

The End of the World

Zur deutschen Fassung dieses Artikels. Fim do Mundo, the end of the world, nothing more than a self-mocking name for a bar in a small village on a small island. One might think. If one didn’t know that in Norte … Continue reading

Posted in Azores, Photography, Portugal, Travel | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Good Night!

It had just stopped raining and I stepped outside to soak up the fresh air, yet untainted by all the flights that are going to resume next month. The sky said thanks, smiling a double smile. The sun, I think, … Continue reading

Posted in Azores, Photography, Portugal | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Romantic Idea and Prosaic Reality

Zur deutschen Fassung. When I got the assignment in the Azores, I immediately started searching for a passage on a ship to reach the far-away island by more adventurous and romantic means than by plane. I searched in vain. But … Continue reading

Posted in Azores, Portugal, Travel | Tagged , , | 5 Comments