Category Archives: Europe

Thank a pirate for guacamole

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Born in England in 1651, William Dampier embarked on a life of piracy in 1679 in Mexico’s Bay of Campeche after a number of unsuccessful early jobs. He changed his fortunes by joining the rapidly growing field of high seas … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Maps, Restaurants, South America, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

New York to London in two hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Before commercial flights of the famed Concorde were discontinued 20 years ago, a world record flight time of 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds was set on a flight from New York City to London. Since then the Concorde … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Architecture, Europe, History, Museums, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Beautiful Iceland

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

This holiday weekend I binged watched a mystery series set in Iceland. Of course this led to a bout of nostalgia for one of my favorite places on Earth and a search for videos set in Iceland. The fabulous film … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Advice for Travelers

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

In a previous incarnation as a travel writer, I proferred various sorts of advice to travelers. I pontificated on everything from where to visit and what to eat, but I rarely offered instruction to time travelers. The very clever video … Continue reading →

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

Switzerland with the stars

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I am a huge fan of the Swiss railway network and Switzerland itself. So, I love the promotional video below that stars the brilliant comedian Trevor Noah and the tennis superstar Roger Federer in a grand tour of the country … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Life While You Wait

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

LIFE WHILE-YOU-WAIT by Wisława Szymborska Life While-You-Wait. Performance without rehearsal. Body without alterations. Head without premeditation. I know nothing of the role I play. I only know it’s mine. I can’t exchange it. I have to guess on the spot … Continue reading →

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Life in Mesoamerica

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I have been fortunate enough to visit some amazing archeological sites in Mexico, but know very little about life in pre-Colonial Mesoamerica. A recently released digital version of an early Spanish codex from 16th century Mexico offers a window into … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Museums, South America | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

10 years, 3.5 million photos, in 4 minutes

Posted on November 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Photographer Jack Fisher is a globe-trotting photographer who created the amazing time-lapse video below which covers ten years of work in just four minues. Fisher says, “I called it Sequences because I try to create stories, or scenes in my timelapse photography, … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Asia, Europe, Film, Photography, Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Wonder is where it starts

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“Wonder is where it starts, and though wonder is also where it ends, this is no futile path. Whether admiring a patch of moss, a crystal, flower, or golden beetle, a sky full of clouds, a sea with the serene, … Continue reading →

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Cheap Flights

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

This hilarious video is not new, but I just discovered it and had to share it for a laugh.  

Posted in Air Travel, Europe, Film, Music, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , | 3 Comments