John M. Edwards pulls up his proverbial time machine into communist Slovakia (1989), where appearances are illusory and life is lived on a virtual movie set. . . . “I AM THE BEST ARTIST IN SLOVAKIA!” The Best Artist in Slovakia bruited. With a cavalier wave of his hand, curved like a grinning alligator shadow puppet, he added in slow mo, “I paint you a picture you would not believe!” “Oh, really?” I said with a terse forced smile. “I really … [Read more...]
An afternoon with Åsa Orrmell at Wallåkra Stoneware Factory
Wallåkra Stenkärlsfabrik, a stoneware factory, restaurant and garden is located about 30 minutes outside of Helsingborg in Southern Sweden. The property is located within the small village of Vallåkra. Turn off the E4/E6 at the exit Landskrona North (27) and take the road to Vallåkra - look for signs once you are in Vallåkra. This was originally a site where pottery was made with local clay taken from the surrounding land. The original … [Read more...]
A Paranormal Papparazzo Stalks the Ghost of Copernicus
Time Traveling to Copernicus’s “Crib” in Torun (Poland) John M. Edwards stalks the heretical ghost of Polish astronomer Nicholaus Copernicus back to his hometown: Torun, Poland. Here is a question nobody, not even Steven Hawking (A Brief History of Time) nor Erich von Daniken (Chariots of the Gods), can answer: How large is the universe? How can it be infinite if it is at the same time also “expanding”? I decided the only scientist worth … [Read more...]
Matka Canyon, Macedonia
Pulled into Skopje late last night and like many of the cities in the nearby countries - easily found free wifi - a lifesaver when you are winging every hotel or hostel at the last minute. Looking for a break from the fast paced travel of the last few days - I got up Sunday morning and caught the early bus to Matka - which is just on the outskirts of the city. Most cities would kill to have a place like this within spitting distance of its … [Read more...]
German food in Berlin
As Berlin is a multicultural capital, its food has many foreign influences; flavors from Turkey, India, Russia, Czech Republic and Poland are combined with the traditional German essence to make a delicious melting pot of flavors. However, despite the international influences, it is still possible to differentiate the most authentic flavors of the German cuisine. You have been roaming around the city for couple of hours and wonder, why do … [Read more...]
Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland
While flying somewhere in Europe last month on a short Wizz Air flight we happened to spot an article about the salt mines near Krakow in the in-flight magazine. Hey, an in-flight magazine on a budget airline and more leg room than say Ryan Air - we were happy. In any case, the article caught my eye - a salt mine that continuously operated for 700 years and over time contained huge man-made caves, tunnels and sculptures carved entirely from rock … [Read more...]
Visiting Auschwitz, Krakow Poland
Krakow is a significant cultural and historical center; there is much to see in and around the city. A visit to Auschwitz requires a full day, including the main camp and then minutes away by a free shuttle, Auschwitz II-Birkenau. During the hours of 10-3pm you must pay to join a guided tour (given in a variety of languages). Human genocides do not get any bigger than this and a visit here is a solemn and moving experience. Exhibits showing … [Read more...]
Sticker Shock!
Norway has got to be one of the most expensive countries in the world...oh and along with Iceland perhaps and maybe Switzerland. Here are a few examples of prices we paid: Small Bowl of Pho (soup) at a hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant: nearly $20 US dollars! Two chicken drumsticks, a small cup of rice/veggies and a fruit drink (non alcoholic): nearly $30 dollars! Aside from the high prices there is plenty to do in Oslo under the … [Read more...]
Woke up in Malmo Sweden!
After a hectic day of flights, chaotic logistical problems and a blur of trains, planes and airports that made 24 hours seem like 48, I awoke this fine morning to find myself in Malmo Sweden. To awake in Malmo was a heck of a surprise as I thought I fell asleep on the floor in the Copenhagen train station last night - but I'm not complaining as Copenhagen is only 30 minutes away from Malmo by train. The weather is exactly what I expected: … [Read more...]
A Trip To Samar
A soft breezy sunrise rouses me as my ship nears the coast and moors at the docks of Maguino-o, off the city of Calbayog Western Samar in the Central Philippines. Sheer weather of the early morning meets the island's pristine seawaters. And I feel like a sixteenth-century explorer reincarnated. "There you are," I whisper upon sighting the shores of Samar. Believing I could reach the location only through history books. One of the very … [Read more...]