Travel Taunts

A (slightly obnoxious) book I found in our Denver hostel (Vagabonding by Rolf Potts) contained a quote urging you to 'keep your best travel stories to yourself.' In that same condescending spirit, I won't elaborate on how good it was to see my old friend, Tyler, in Denver or how gracious our cousin, Christina, was …

Syrupy Crunch

The reactions to "Chicken and Waffles" potato chips are predictable. First, skepticism is expressed ('Is this really a thing?' as the bag is noticed). Eyes pop the instant they touch the tongue ('I can taste the syrup!') followed immediately by a look of dismay (I'm not sure if I like them or not') and then, …

Superlatives and Self-Promotion

The insatiable demand for more information about my trip (this statement is mostly artistic license) compels me to write more. The fact that linking to old posts increases their Google scores is purely incidental... Best feeling in the world: Putting on clean, dry clothes (especially after being soaked and chilled) Most relaxing experience: Jjimjilbang (Korean …

The Reasons We Return Home

The dream-like normalcy of raking leaves in my retired running shoes and paint-splattered jeans was almost shocking - I'd be standing in the same shoes (literally) had I never traveled at all. This lawn work, in addition to entertaining the family cat, has allowed me to think such deep thoughts over the past two weeks …

A Luxurious Past

Had I stayed in Tallinn, Estonia thirty years ago, I would have been required to stay, like all foreigners, in the luxurious, Finnish-built Hotel Viru. I would have been well attended since the KGB agents working in the unmarked top floor would have been suspicious of the 'dangerous' American in town. Even the bread plates …

Hungarians Love to Cheer

FINA, the (somewhat unpopular*) world governing body for aquatic sports, held its World Championships in Budapest throughout the month of July. While you could watch high diving with a view of Parliament or see synchronized swimming in front of Vajdahunyad Castle, I just wanted to see the best swimmers in the world compete. Fortunately, that …

The Day I Punched a Robot

While I waited for my bus back to Stuttgart from the Max Planck Institute, I didn't really think about how one of the world's most respected roboticists spent several hours mentoring me. Instead, I spent much of the time giggling about how I had, in a very real sense, punched a robot that day. Dr …

Even Green Mush Is Better Than Sauerkraut

The Germans I ate with at Spezialkeller, a beer garden in Bamberg, seemed genuinely disappointed when we were told there was no wirsing (an unappetizing-looking but apparently delicious green vegetable paste) available. When a huge bowl of sauerkraut was placed on the table instead, not even German stoicism could mask the dislike of that fermented …

Where Italians Eat Pizza

There's a lot to see in the Marche region of Italy. First, there are the historical sites, like a fort in Senigallia first constructed during Roman times. Then, there are the beaches with their brightly colored umbrellas standing at attention in perfect rows. However, an unanticipated landscape, such as a field of sunflowers overlooking the …

Deserts and Dolphin Trainers

Every billboard, and most shop windows, contained the line "Ramadan Kareem" in some form or another since it was Ramadan when I visited the UAE. My favorite (I wish I had a picture) said "Muscle up this Ramadan" over top a bright yellow Camaro. While cynical people would shake their heads over such blatant consumerism, …