Category Archives: Tourism

Kafka is not buried here

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Frog in Prague” by Stephen Dixon They stand still. “And Kafka?” Howard says. “Kafka is not buried here.” “No? Because I thought—what I mean is the lady at my hotel’s tourist information desk—the Intercontinental over there—and also the one who … Continue reading →

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Good News for Flyers

Posted on January 18, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Emirates is leading the way for neurodiversity needs, becoming the first airline in the world to achieve Autism Certification with a landmark recognition by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). By early 2025, the company plans to … Continue reading →

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Sacré bleu

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

The 1937 phrasebook Collins’ Pocket Interpreters: France paints an alarming picture of a typical visit to France: I cannot open my case. I have lost my keys. I did not know that I had to pay. I cannot find my porter. Excuse … Continue reading →

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Driving In Circles

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I’m no Luddite, but I have serious reservations about self-driving automobile technology. This recent news story seems to prove me right. Last week, Mike Johns was on his way to the Phoenix, Arizona airport in a Waymo autonomous taxi to … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

No But Yes

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

You all know by now that I am serious about coffee. I take it so seriously that I got my own roasting machine and learned to be a competent amateur roaster. So when I read about coffee in a tube, … Continue reading →

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All eyes on Greenland

Posted on January 11, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Once again, Creamsicle Caligula has made headlines with his wacky claims about taking over Greenland and making it a U.S. territory. And again, the mainstream media has taken the bait and focused on his cockamamie pronouncements while ignoring his outrageous … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Maps, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Would you pay a fee to visit a bookstore

Posted on January 9, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Bunkitsu (文喫) in Tokyo’s Roppongi neighborhood is a bookstore that stocks more than 30,000 titles. It also features something else: an admission fee. It costs 1,650 yen (USD $10.50) on weekdays and 2,530 yen ($16) on weekends. There’s also a … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry”

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

As you may have noticed, my latest travel obsession revolves around all things Japan. I have never been, but I’m looking forward to a three week visit this Spring. Between travel video warnings and admonitions about tourist etiquette from Japanese … Continue reading →

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For what gives value to travel is fear.

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“For what gives value to travel is fear. It breaks down a kind of inner structure we have. One can no longer cheat — hide behind the hours spent at the office or at the plant (those hours we protest … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel Writing, Writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Annus horribilis

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

It has been a horrible year for the world, for the U.S., and for me personally. But I would rather see 2024 out with something uplifting. I can’t think of anything more sublime and beautiful than this extraordinary video of … Continue reading →

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