Other than New Orleans, I’ve never visited another city where music is such an inextricable part of the traveler’s experience because of its significant role in the cultural of Cuba. Havana provides its own soundtrack, and it’s a really good one. Continue reading
Per Diem Restaurant
Is there such a thing as old-world industrial opulence? Here are a couple of pics from one of my favorite new spots: Per Diem in the Financial District. It’s all about decorating around that chandelier! Continue reading
Did you miss me?
I had originally intended to post entries from Cuba but made a last-minute decision not to take my laptop – a decision I do not regret. So, sorry. There was no live blogging of Cuba, but I do have plenty to report. And you could just pretend I’m still there. Continue reading
As I wrote on TGBSW yesterday (The Art of Travel), art is often the best way to begin to get to know a place. A little over a year ago I wrote a paper on Walker Evans’s time in Cuba that I thought I would share as an example of how the eye of the artist can enlighten the soul of a place. Continue reading
It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance…and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of its process.
Henry James
As I mentioned previously, I’ve been reading Prague Pictures by John Banville and am relieved to find that my experience of Prague as indecipherable is not unique. But, as Banville’s title suggests, that isn’t the end of his musings. Banville finally begins to glimpse Prague through the photos of a long-time Prague resident: photographer Josef Sudek. Continue reading
Two of the three most memorable Christmas holidays I’ve had as an adult I spent on my own at home here in San Francisco. The city becomes quiet during the holidays – from about December 20th until after New Year’s – allowing a serenity that you can’t find any other time of year. The other of my three most memorable was spent in London, another large city that exists as a calmer version of itself at Christmas carrying over to Boxing Day. Continue reading
The motivations were different. Circumstances this year required a reevaluation of prior Thanksgiving traditions. And trips are different when you are going to see loved ones rather than a place. I mostly needed a change of scenery, and, in that sense, my trip succeeded. But I can’t shake the sense that the trip lacked something. It’s an unfamiliar feeling. Continue reading
Almost everyone says the same thing after a trip: it’s good to be home. I’m now on my flight back to San Francisco and started missing home about two days ago. Continue reading
Greetings from Prague! I have to tell you that I’ve rarely been colder, but I’m enjoying this beautiful and picturesque city. After a nice breakfast at my hotel, I set out to get in a museum this morning: The Czech Cubism Museum. Continue reading
On my first trip to Germany in 2006, I didn’t have the time to do a wine country trip. This time, I knew that I would have adequate time to visit at least one winery, which is what we did on Sunday. We traveled by train from Frankfurt to Geisenheim (about an hour) and then by taxi the remaining kilometers to the winery. Continue reading