Category Archives: Europe 2011

After a 28-hour* day, my 23-day European Economic Recovery has come to an end. It was the absolute time of my life. With great travel partners, wonderful weather, and amazing food, I fulfilled a childhood dream. Through all of it, … Continue reading →

I helped a senior couple check into their flight. The husband then asked if I was from Seymour, Iowa. He said I look like someone he knew there, someone who also smiles bigly. That made my day. I like smiling … Continue reading →

I swam in the Aegean Sea today! Yep, it was beach day. I could have done more touristing but I actually like spending a day on the beach. It was quite scenic. It wasn’t the most beautiful beach I’ve been … Continue reading →

Today I headed into the Pelopponese for the second of the two tours. The weather was gorgeous except there was lots of wind (although not nearly as windy as the first day in Edinburgh [Day 2]). First on the list … Continue reading →

Today I visited the Oracle at Delfi. I contemplated the mark that I would leave on the world, perhaps a similar contemplation was taken by another man who stood there ~2,300 years ago. Given he’d go on to conquer the … Continue reading →

I had souvlaki – pork on a stick – today in the Plaka. And it was wonderful! I followed it up with locally made mango gelato, which was stupendous. Not as good as nutella Crepes in Paris but still nom … Continue reading →

The Acropolis. Wow. I should stop typing there because nothing else I say can do today’s experience justice. The weather was absolutely perfect. Except for the wind. I can’t imagine coming to the Acropolis in the middle of summer. I … Continue reading →

I am writing this post while looking up at the Acropolis at night. It is absolutely breathtaking. The flight in was very smooth but a little late. The seats were quite comfortable and roomy. Olympic Air is much better than … Continue reading →

Today was my first introduction to Indonesian food. And it was a good one! We dined at Sahid Jaya and had a sampler of eight dishes. My favorite was the lemon curry followed by the teriyaki something (riblike) followed by … Continue reading →

For five years I have been a strong advocate for the idea that the Esquire in Champaign has the best French fries in the world. Manneken Pis in Amsterdam has come closest to taking the Esquire’s title. Pis Was once … Continue reading →