The Mexican poet Octavio Paz once said, “In the United States the word death burns the lips, but the Mexican is familiar with death, jokes about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, and celebrates it. …
September 4, 2010
History
Guanajuato, Mexico: Museum of Mummies (and More)
In the Heart of Civil Rights Land: Birmingham, Alabama
I was in my second grade history class, here in Southern California, when I first remember seeing the video images of men and women shotgun-hosed ruthlessly, police dogs trained to bite the nearest dark-skinned person, …
Mont Saint-Michel, France
The road was built only recently. For over a thousand years, visitors to the city of Mont Saint-Michel had to travel by boat, or wait till low tide and walk across from the mainland. The …
Walkable San Francisco
On a recent trip to San Francisco, I rediscovered what a great town it is for walking. The weather was miserable on the day of my arrival, reminding me of Mark Twain's quote that "the …
June 9, 2010
Climb Cochise Stronghold, Arizona
Built on legend and myth of a world gone by, Tombstone is a town of Hollywood fame. But just across the desert from its dusty wooden walks lies a lesser-known area of lore.... I'm thankful …
Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania
Despite entertainment-media archetypes, the province of Transylvania (located in northwestern Romania) is actually an idyllic, totally not-creepy part of the world. Transylvania means “across the forest” in Latin, and the heavily forested region is dotted …
The Winchester Mystery House, San Jose
Do you long for an excursion into a world rich with mystery and a healthy dose of the supernatural? On a nondescript street in San Jose stands one of the most fascinating homes in the …
April 15, 2010
Springfield, Illinois: the Hidden State Capital
Presented with a two-hour delay for my Springfield flight, I made the best decision that any rational person of age would: I paid a friendly visit to the airport pub. “Where are you from?” I …
April 1, 2010
The Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles
Having lived in Los Angeles during the Rodney King riots of 1992, I’ve always viewed the Museum of Tolerance as a beacon of hope. Located at the corner of Pico and Roxbury Drive in West …
March 11, 2010
Indulge in Monte-Carlo, Monaco
The Nice-Cote d’Azur International Airport is a half-hour drive from one of the most unique places on the planet. A district of the Principality of Monaco, Monte-Carlo is located in the French Riviera on the …
Panama City, Panama
Panama City was exactly as I’d pictured it – all white, dense, oozing history. I took it as a good omen, like forgotten faces from a dream, as we wandered the crumbling edifices of Casco …
March 3, 2010