The Real Cinco de Mayo

It’s gotten to the embarrassing point now. My friends, family and coworkers all repeated the same answer to the question, “What does Cinco de Mayo celebrate?”

‘Mexico’s Independence Day’ being the answer. No.

In fact, most of Mexico does not celebrate this day - if they do it is only an excuse to drink (from what I have been told that is). Sounds similar to the custom in... [Read more]

The Maya in Honduras: Copán Ruinas

I am a Maya fan. I love these ruins, the genius the Maya left behind. I have enjoyed Tulum, El Rey, and one of the newly named Seven Wonders of the World at Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza hosts several engineering marvels including the main pyramid that creates an incredible shadow each Autumnal and Vernal Equinox. Check out the ITKT video on Chichen Itza here. So by the time... [Read more]

Miletos, Ephesus’ Little Sister

As far as historic importance is concerned, the title of this story is incorrect. It rather refers to the amount of tourists and visitors who bother to dispense with the trodden tourist path, neglect the ‘must see’ of Turkish historical sites and make judgments of their own. Just as I have done and was rewarded with a fantastic experience.

Miletos is situated approx. 60km west of the Turkish town of Söke... [Read more]

Oak Park, Historic Chicago Suburb

Chicago is a fast-paced city. There is so much to see and do. The city is vibrant and full of energy. Everywhere people are hustling and heading somewhere. Sometimes you just want to slow down, but still use your valuable vacation time to see experience something new. I found a great destination, minutes from downtown, but worlds apart to your sensibilities. It is a visit to the suburb of Oak Park. Known as a village, Oak... [Read more]

Week 5: The Best Week Ever pt.1

Monday - Sitting on top of a pile of carefully placed stones creating the edge of a terrace for ancient crops, my feet dangling over the edge of a gorge, my eyes keen on the sky that is continually brightening in a misty dawn. It´s about 6AM Monday morning in the ruins of Machu Picchu and the clouds are wrapping around the peaks of the Andes and creeping over Incan structures. I think I must be close to heaven because... [Read more]

Monemvasia: The Medieval Treasure of Greece

The towering rock of Monemvasia topped by a fortress, rises from the sea on the south eastern coast of the Peloponnese. Known as “Rosemary of the East“, or “the Gibraltar of Greece,” it has been a fortified settlement since ancient times. It got its name which means “Sole Entrance” from the 6th century AD because the only entry is through a fortified tunnel. In the words of the poet, Yannis Ritso, “This... [Read more]

Chasing the Holy Grail to Dinas Bran Castle

There’s nothing like a medieval castle to exhume one’s sense of romance however deeply it may be buried beneath the mundane. And Wales, that piece of geography that bulges from British soil into the Irish Sea like a full belly, has close to 400 of them in various states of restoration and ruin. But only one claims legendary ties to the Holy Grail: Castell Dinas Bran, which translated into English means ‘castle of... [Read more]

The Mayan Sacred Journey

After visiting Tulum, El Rey, and Chichen Itza, I have come away wondering what it all might have looked like. If you are like me, then this release I received this morning will definitely turn you on. On a nearly related topic, I had bought a hand-carved version of Ix Chel from a guy carving on the side of the road in Playa del Carmen. Sadly, three weeks later the poor Goddess got termites and was lost.
devin... [Read more]

Holland in Bloom

There is no better time to visit Holland than in the spring when symphonies of tulips bathe the landscape in a carpet of rich, vibrant colour. Holland dazzles the senses with Flower Power. The Dutch celebrate their blooms at every opportunity with a procession of flower parades, flower fairs, flower art displays, flower museums and flower markets. Each year Holland’s tulips attracts millions of visitors who gaze in awe... [Read more]

An Evening in Mostar, Bosnia

When a place lends itself to the leisure of other people it generally becomes a haven for the lewd and the superficial. I am now in the fifteenth month of a backpacking journey that has taken me to some of the less contemporary parts of the world. In speaking with people and seeing their ways I have found that culture, above all things, is what makes a country endearing, and that a culture exploited is something lamentable.... [Read more]