Weird Things in Weird Places

10/02/2024

One of the last stops on my journey through the South of Germany was the area of Berchtesgaden. This area was important since the Middle-Ages for the mining of salt, with such names like Obersalzberg referring to a salt mountain. However despite the area being largely independent until the incorporation into the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1810, it is best known for a dark period in recent history....

One of the last stops on my journey through the South of Germany was the area of Berchtesgaden. This area was important since the Middle-Ages for the mining of salt, with such names like Obersalzbe…

06/05/2024

Prague's so-called Dancing House was built upon the ruins of old apartments that had been destroyed by the bombing of Prague in 1945. The plan for the building had been considered since the 1980s, however, construction did not begin until 1992. The concept of the building involves two parts, static and dynamic, both of which are said to represent the transition of Czechoslovakia from socialism towards bourgeois democracy. Although the deconstructivist architecture of the Dancing House is praised in many architectural circles, others criticize the design which seems not to fit the historic Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings of the rest of Prague. Nevertheless, this uniqueness is especially what draws many to visit the Dancing House.




https://www.instagram.com/p/C72UnRQyQni/?img_index=1

03/21/2024

After a brief stay in Frankonia and a hike in Oberstdorf I went further to the East to Füssen. The town dates back to Roman times when it was constructed by Emperor Claudius in 50AD, remaining important both due to its position at the foot of the Alps as well as because it lied along the Via Claudia Augusta (an important Roman road)....

After a brief stay in Frankonia and a hike in Oberstdorf I went further to the East to Füssen. The town dates back to Roman times when it was constructed by Emperor Claudius in 50AD, remaining impo…

12/08/2023

Adana kebap is a dish of protected origin which is composed of ground lamb meat, tail fat and red bell pepper. It is said to be a combination of Turkish and Arab techniques given that similar styles exist in neighboring areas. However the Adana version demands the inclusion only of the three aforementioned ingredients, plus salt, in order to be considered authentic. The meat after being mixed is skewered and grilled over oak wood until cooked through. The meat is served over flatbread, often with the addition of red pepper flakes on top. Several different types of vegetables are served alongside to be rolled up into the bread for eating. Although most kebaps are worth trying for their own varied flavor, having the Adana kebap in it's own city is a particularly good experience.

12/06/2023

The first balloons took flight over Cappadocia in 1989, only a few years after its UNESCO listing. Since then, their presence has multiplied with summer skies being dominated by swarms of hot air balloons.The combination of cold winter air and lack of significant extreme weather makes it a perfect place for ballooning. However this has also contributed to a phenomenon of overtourism. In winter however, high speed winds often result in the cancellation of flights which also means that views of the natural landscape are unobstructed. Personally I much prefer this over the sight of balloons, though the last day of my visit did see balloons being cleared for flight. What is your opinion, do you like the site of balloons over Cappadocia or the more natural view?

10/10/2023

There's something beautiful about mountains. Towering peaks reaching out towards the blue sky. Now I'm no stranger to mountains, in fact I've been to some of the greatest mountain chains around including the Andes, Sierra Nevada, the Rockies; but before 2022 I had never been to the Alps....

There’s something beautiful about mountains. Towering peaks reaching out towards the blue sky. Now I’m no stranger to mountains, in fact I’ve been to some of the greatest mountain…

06/30/2023

A short train ride from Nuremberg is a remarkable city with picturesque streets and historic walls. As part of my long-journey to discover the South of Germany, I visited Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the upper part of Bavaria, known as Franconia. Rothenburg is small medieval town known for the meticulous attempts to preserve its historic architecture. Despite some damage in 1945, the medieval edifices are largely original with other buildings reconstructed in the traditional way....

A short train ride from Nuremberg is a remarkable city with picturesque streets and historic walls. As part of my long-journey to discover the South of Germany, I visited Rothenburg ob der Tauber i…

04/25/2023

When dealing with ruins, one must consider whether restoration, reconstruction or leaving them as is is best. For much of Europe, the destruction following the Second World War led different cities in varied paths as to how to address these choices. Nuremberg has many gorgeous historical buildings yet a large part of them suffered damage and destruction. In their rebuilding there was often a chance to…...

When dealing with ruins, one must consider whether restoration, reconstruction or leaving them as is is best. For much of Europe, the destruction following the Second World War led different cities…

03/29/2023

Travel can be a complicated thing sometimes, especially these days with war and covid affecting every aspect of life. However, due to the 9 euro ticket in Germany in summer of 2022, travel was made relatively easy. That's not to say it wasn't without challenges. Lots of trains were completely packed and the network of Deutsche Bahn, already fairly unreliable at times, became ever more so....

Travel can be a complicated thing sometimes, especially these days with war and covid affecting every aspect of life. However, due to the 9 euro ticket in Germany in summer of 2022, travel was made…

02/14/2023

There's no question that Prague is the main attraction when foreign tourists are visiting the Czech Republic. However there is plenty of interesting and beautiful sites outside of the capital. About 2 hours West of Prague just shy of the German border lies Karolvy Vary, one of the most enchanting places on my visit to the country. The UNESCO designated town of Karolvy Vary is the largest spa complex in Europe....

There’s no question that Prague is the main attraction when foreign tourists are visiting the Czech Republic. However there is plenty of interesting and beautiful sites outside of the capital…

01/18/2023

According to legend, the great stone bridge that crosses between the Eastern and Western banks of the Vlatava river was begun at 5:31am on 9 July 1357 at the behest of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. Historians doubt this exactness but nevertheless the project at the behest of Bohemia's first Holy Roman Emperor would be an important one. For centuries it has been an important artery for trade between Eastern and Western Europe, elevating the status of Prague as a center for trade, arts and strategic control....

According to legend, the great stone bridge that crosses between the Eastern and Western banks of the Vlatava river was begun at 5:31am on 9 July 1357 at the behest of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV…

12/20/2022

One of the strangest tales I heard while traveling in Warsaw was that of Chopin's heart. When Polish classical composer Frédéric Chopin died in 1849, his request was to have his heart be taken to Warsaw. In part this was due to a fear of being buried alive, but also an understanding that his body would never leave Paris. His sister Ludwika Jędrzejewicz complied with his request, evading officers and Tsarist agents on her journey from Paris to Warsaw, then under the control of the Russian Empire....

One of the strangest tales I heard while traveling in Warsaw was that of Chopin’s heart. When Polish classical composer Frédéric Chopin died in 1849, his request was to have his heart be take…