Category Archives: Travel
Where the Gondolas are made
Deep in Venice, between all the ostentatious palaces, the churches, cathedrals and museums, there are a few wooden sheds, so out of place as if they had just arrived this morning with the train from South Tyrol. This is where carpenters make … Continue reading
You don’t need to watch “Everest”
When you watch the trailer for Everest, you may well get the feeling that you have seen it all before: the mountains, the snow, the storm, the helicopter, the drama, the danger, the good-looking tough guy risking his life for … Continue reading
The Mosque next to the Synagogue
Researching for my trip to South America, I came across this little country that I knew nothing about – Suriname – and its capital city – Paramaribo – which I couldn’t have named before. And then I saw this photo … Continue reading
Aerodrom Podgorica
The airport (“aerodrom”) in Podgorica, Montenegro: Ok, this is not the airport, but it is the train station for the airport. Unfortunately, I only found out about it later. When I arrived, I asked the lady at the airport information … Continue reading
Flying to Montenegro
“Cabin crew, prepare for landing,” the command came through the public-address system, filling the silent cabin of the early-morning flight from Belgrade to Podgorica. “Landing where??” I wondered, for I had only seen dramatic mountains, partially covered in snow, and some lakes. The … Continue reading
Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade
Any walk in Belgrade will sooner or later end up at Kalemegdan Park, the seat of the fortress. The guy on top of the column is Pobednik, the Victor, and he calls himself that because he just won World War … Continue reading
Brazil is becoming more affordable
You know that a country is going through an economic crisis when your friends from Brazil don’t begin their days by posting photos of their morning coffee, but by commenting on the exchange rate between the Brazilian real and the US … Continue reading
Belgrade and the signs of war
I have this talent to find traces of war wherever I go, but in Belgrade the task is made really easy. First of all, the city’s fortress in Kalemegdan Park houses a military museum. In addition to the permanent display of military hardware, … Continue reading
The Bridges of Venice
The Rialto Bridge, built in 1524 but preceded by wooden bridges and before that by pontoons, was the only bridge to cross the Grand Canal until 1854. The covered ramps carry small shops on either side of the bridge. The … Continue reading
Eastern Europe, where Low-Tech meets High-Tech
One of the many things I like about Eastern Europe is the contrast between low-tech and hi-tech, often in one and the same place. For example, you might find yourself at a dilapidated bus station with crumbling concrete, you step on a 40- … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 