Category Archives: Europe

Are you strawn

Posted on March 30, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I have been fortunate enough to have visited glorious Scotland many times, but I only recently heard about the Scottish term thrawn. So, thrawn is a Scottish word that means ‘stubborn’ and unbending. Sometimes it’s an insult but increasingly an admirable characteristic. … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Not Just a Phone Booth

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Like many other overseas Anglophiles, I was dead chuffed to finally get to make a call from a genuine red phone box on my first visit to London many decades ago. So, I had a tinge of nostalgia watching the … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Tourists Go Home

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Málaga, in the hugely popular Costa del Sol in the south of Spain, is fed up with tourists and locals have resorted to sticking unfriendly stickers to show their displeasure with the situation. Tourist apartments and buildings are carrying angry words … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Europe, Hotels, Tourism | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Course des Cafés

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

My very first encounter with a Parisian waiter reinforced every stereotypes of French restaurants. To be fair, it was an early morning visit to a railway station café after a night train from Amsterdam. My traveling companions included three other … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Restaurants, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Cultural Connections

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I hesitate to promote apps because so many turn out to be disappointing. However, I really like the Bloomberg Connects app which offers access to exhibitions, collections and renowned artists at over 350 museums and other cultural organizations. Bloomberg Philanthropies … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Architecture, Art, Asia, Canada, Europe, Libraries, Museums, South America, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Not all those who wander are lost

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Each year on March 25th fans of J.R.R. Tolkien celebrate Tolkien Reading Day.  Around the world folks reread the books, discuss them with friends, and participate in Middle Earth related literary events. The Tolkien Society established Tolkien Reading Day in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Film, Libraries, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

How big was it

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Growing up in and around New York City I have always been fascinated by the process of urbanization. So the animation (below) by Ollie Bye intrigued me. The examination of the growth of the world’s largest cities from 3000 BCE … Continue reading →

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

Bookstore Tourism : Paris

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The Anti Public Library is a blend of record shop and book store combined with a bar set in Paris’ always hip Le Marais district. Created by artist Henri Levy, founder and creative director of the avant-garde brand Enfants Riches … Continue reading →

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Random but not ephemeral

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I have had the good fortune to have visited Iceland many times over the years, but I still get flummoxed sometimes by the country’s strict naming system.  The Mystery of the Icelandic Naming Committee. The Amsterdam-based artist Frankey brings a playful twist … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Film, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Atlas of Antiquity

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I don’t know how I missed the amazing site vici.org which offers an excellent interactive map of archeological sites. It’s easy to spend hours down the rabbit hole exploring the thousands of locations with significant ancient buildings or ruins. Most … Continue reading →

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