Cathedral, Mexico City
The Cathedral in the Plaza Zócalo in Mexico City is the largest church in the Western Hemisphere. It’s a Unesco World Heritage site. But, with a few exceptions–and not that … Read more
North America
San Miguel de Allende, Woman in the Window
As we sat eating our lunch in a rooftop restaurant in San Miguel de Allende, I noticed a woman had been at her window peering down at the customers for … Read more
Doll Vendor, San Miguel de Allende
Her sales station was right outside our hotel in San Miguel de Allende. Her expression says she’s not much liking having her picture taken, but I was able to work … Read more
Door Handle, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
The homes in San Miguel de Allende often display various pieces of individual decoration. Sometimes this is paint, other times it’s door handles. The bull says, come on in. I … Read more
San Miguel Color
The most characteristic thing about San Miguel de Allende is its color. It’s everywhere. The walls, the cars, the clothes. It’s one of the happiest looking places in the world.
The Grand Tetons from the Idaho Side
We visited the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone in the early fall of 2008. We day hiked every day, splitting our time between the National Park on the Wyoming side, and … Read more
(Un)welcome to the United States
Since 9/11 I’ve reentered the United States from travel abroad more than a dozen times. Each time, it is more unpleasant. Many people I’ve met in other countries who have … Read more
Niagara Falls From Both Sides
The Horseshoe Falls of Niagara Falls. The view from the Canadian side is pretty impressive. Especially when you see those boats sneaking up on the cascade. The Canadian version of … Read more
Just a Little About Las Vegas
Being back in the United States makes me feel two ways: it’s like vacation so I don’t feel like posting, and it’s just not that damn interesting anyway. So, a … Read more
Sometimes You Have to Go Home
I grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa. According to my grandfather, Council Bluffs was, “the only town that ever hurt Chicago.” I’ve given his pronouncement a lot of thought over the years and I’ve still never quite figured out what it meant.
Maybe it was because Council Bluffs made fun of Chicago on the playground when they were kids. Or maybe it was because someone from CB wrote a letter once to someone in Chicago saying that having broad shoulders and being hog butcher to the world wasn’t really that great. Especially when Carl Sandburg went on to mention that it was also the city of skanky whores and slimy gangsters.