America (like many places, we guess) has its ups and downs, and they're usually significant. The US is a (if not the) monster presence in almost everyone's lives, no matter where they live. From the lowest of low (war) to the highest of high (endless variety) it's a place that has a pull…
Let's start right off and say that Turkey is one of the most historic, diverse and complex places on the planet. Stradling the line between east and west, it has always been pivotal in human history. While some of its religious and social aspects are traditionally associated with Western Asia, it is culturally…
.....just a good pair of shoes. – James Carville. And an open mind. Long considered a place of debauchery and overt sin (what with its booze, crazy street antics and reputation for "saucy" entertainment) the City of New Orleans is all of that, and so much more. New Orleans, located in the…
.... literally. It's not an homage to an old western film, or not even the sign for a trendy bistro that's just debuted with much fanfare where you live. Instead, this is the real thing, what you paid for. And, of course, it's in Europe, where so many things began, and so…
Here is something that we never thought we would see, although I guess we're not surprised. Time moves on. When you think of UNESCO sites, it's usually Minarets or archaeological remains, often in far-flung locations, many of them ruins. We love UNESCO and feature lots of posts about them. (Click here for that.)…
Let's go forward in time to step backwards in time to learn how the internet came about, and why its origins, which are well known, may actually be more interesting than we might have thought. If you think you know the story, you might want to read on, anyway: you wouldn't be here…
Or did we mean go slow in Slovakia? Either way, you win, especially when you discover this known country, but then find out how much you have to learn - and enjoy - about it. It's another one of those "bubbling under" countries, just waiting for you to search and enjoy. According to…
Poor Cuba. Still battered by the USA (for reasons that we just can't understand) this beautiful and engaging country teeters on collapse, except for the strength of its people. We have a number of posts here on the site (click here) which should give any thinking person the desire to hop on a…
Bet you never thought you'd see that phrase. But, as always, history is a funny mistress and, let's face it, despite Google and our smart phones, we don't really know much, do we? Our children and their children will laugh at our conceit someday in the future. So, behold a new finding. …
We present another one of those "now you see it, now you don't" posts. Nothing lasts forever, it appears. And sometimes the powers-that-be appear to be deaf to what the people want. Here, we're talking about the Stairway to Heaven Trail on Oʻahu, Hawaii, the Haʻikū Stairs. Also known as the Stairway…
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake by surface area of the five Great Lakes in North America and the eleventh-largest globally. It is bordered by Ohio (USA) on one side, and Ontario, Canada on the other. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has…
History is a strange and unusual thing. For example, Turkeys were once worshipped like gods. Or, once , 100 Imposters Claimed to Be Marie Antoinette's Dead Son. Napoleon was once attacked by a horde of bunnies. Yes, supposedly these are all true, but you can never tell on the Internet. But, one…
Another history post for you, this time based in Russia. Many of you might remember the Cold War (if not, it was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term cold war is used because there…
In this day and age, there aren't many monarchies around anymore. Many see it as an outdated hangover from the past. Others (like us) understand that sentiment, but also appreciate the sheer fact that these kinds of historical constructs can even exist to this day. Some monarchies end up being A. totalitarian…
The Spanish have left an impressive, diverse, expansive and everlasting legacy across the globe. Of course, some will say that they left a trail of destruction and malaise as well, which is undeniable. But, they also brought some value to civilizations that certainly benefited from their presence. One such example is the La…
Space, the final frontier. Or at least that's what we thought at the time. (We've gone much further.) For many of us, the 1950's were a rather spectacular decade, some good, some bad. For example the post-World War II boom, the dawn of the Cold War and the civil rights movement in…
If New York City is one thing, it's certainly known for its lifestyle, vibrancy and sheer chutzpah. Once you visit there, the city will pull at your heartstrings forever more. We all know that it is the is the city that never sleeps. But, as ever, some New Yorkers ultimately find their…
Are you the edgy type? Looking for something new and different? How about going underground . . . literally. And it's actually perfect if the weather is lousy. How about Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system? Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands…
If you're of a certain age (like us,) you may long for places or things that remind you of when you were young. In our case, we have a sweet spot for the 1960s. Just last night (for Valentine's Day,) Mr. and Mrs. Matouring ventured to a place here in Vancouver to…
Here's a post for the soft-spoken people. The people who bask in the quiet. Those who know the sounds of silence. There are plenty of places to find solace: your spare bathroom. Your car in the garage. Even in an underground bunker if you they'll let you in -…