Category Archives: Europe

Do vampires get sea sick ?

Posted on May 30, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

On a gloomy night in July, 1893, Bram Stoker’s mysterious Count Dracula embarked on a clandestine journey from his Transylvania home aboard the ill-fated ship Demeter. Unbeknownst to the unsuspecting crew of the Demeter, a malevolent force lay hidden in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Film, Maps, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Murakami in the Machine or Way back Wednesday

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

In the past we’ve covered lots of book vending machine stories, but this one is surreal. The Muzu publishing house in Poland created three vending machines to dispense Polish translations of Haruki Murakami’s newest novel, Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and the Year of … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Europe, Writing | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Chill Out

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Summer has arrived early in my little corner of the Western Hemisphere and with the wilting heat my thoughts turn to the far North. Coincidentally, the world’s largest and most northern national park is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Kalaallit Nunaanni … Continue reading →

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a mystery wrapped in an enigma in a vending machine

Posted on May 26, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I love a good European train station story, and I’m always down for a wacky vending machine tale, if you mash the two together I have to share the tale. It seems that the central train station in the charming … Continue reading →

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seulement des affiches

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

 

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scratch-and-sniff

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Each May 16th, France celebrates Saint Honoré, the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs. This year, the French postal service La Poste marked the occasion with a tasteful tribute in the form of a unique postage stamp. The “Baguette … Continue reading →

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Cover Art

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

One of the privileges in collecting and selling antiquarian books is discovering the absolutely wonderful book cover art and design from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although my specialty has always been books on travel, geography, and history, I … Continue reading →

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If you’re happy and you know it…

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

As usual, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden top the country ranking in the annual World Happiness Report .  However, seeing Israel at #5 , just above the Netherlands and Norway, is quite a surprise. The map above also does something extra: … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Maps, Middle East, South America, USA | Tagged , | 1 Comment

After 140 years it’s finished (almost)

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I’ve visited hundreds of Roman Catholic cathedrals, basilicas, chapels, and churches in Europe, but Sagrada Familia in Barcelona isn’t just any old church; it’s an extraordinary edifice with a remarkable history. It also has a fantastic design, complete with soaring … Continue reading →

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Ein Meisterstück Inspires Writing

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The always quirky and entertaining director and screenwriter Wes Anderson has brought his trademark stylized aesthetic and offbeat storytelling to the Montblanc’s new ad campaign. Released to celebrate the centennial of the brand’s Meisterstück pen, the campaign film features Anderson … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, movies, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment