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endless mile: e-book development
“Excited” best described my mood when the Kindle Fire became available one year ago. An affordable alternative to Apple, the device even enjoyed good (although not great) early reviews. Was it set to...
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personal: 2012 in review
Seems like I say the same thing every year—just check out 2010 & 2011—but where did 2012 go?? Below are some of the major events from this past year: ————————————————— JAN – Over a week in Puerto...
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montevideo: first impressions
Living in Argentina’s capital city for 12 years, somehow I’d never been to the capital of Uruguay… just across the river. Ok, we all know the Río de la Plata is actually a super-wide delta, so the...
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montevideo: ciudad vieja
Although founded practically two centuries after Buenos Aires, early Montevideo followed the same city plan in 1724 as almost every other Spanish colonial town. Fitting snugly into a small outcrop...
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personal: 2013 schedule
Things have changed so often over the last three months that I couldn’t keep up. My apologies to friends who had trouble as well! It’s official: there will be no move to Montevideo… it’s Esquel for...
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montevideo: avenida 18 de julio
When Buenos Aires declared independence for the entire Viceroyalty, Montevideo remained loyal to the Spanish crown. BA apparently didn’t consult their neighbors… some things never change! No matter....
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montevideo: pocitos
Women washed laundry in the now-absent Arroyo de los Pocitos, but the upper class realized the potential of its pristine beach. Pocitos became part of the city in 1886, & soon after trolleys...
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montevideo: cementerio central
I hadn’t done any research about the oldest cemetery in Montevideo… odd for me. I didn’t even know its location since I was wandering around town mapless. But after a picnic lunch gazing out at the...
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montevideo: palacio legislativo
Visiting the national congress was a challenge: internet said one thing, the TI said another & everyone in between had an opinion as to official visiting hours. After dragging Darío to the...
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buenos aires: monumento a colón
No denying it: I have a certain fondness for this piece of sculpture. Columbus was the subject of some of my first digital photos in 2002, he often wowed tourists when I began guiding locally ten...
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glasgow: second time around
I’m what might be termed a repeat traveler. Not sure if it’s fate or (un)intentional acts on my part, but I seem to return to the same places over & over. Whether for work or play, I always go...
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personal: typical research day
Next week I’ll be embarking on another intense work trip beginning with two solid weeks of guidebook research for Rick Steves. A few readers might think: “oooh, how exciting! what a glamorous job!”...
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porto: festa de são joão
What is often labeled as one of the best parties in Europe is about to take place & unfortunately I won't be there... but I once was, back in 2010! Many of the cities I've visited recently have...
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found: argentina travel posters
As a tour guide, I'm often interested in how destinations market themselves. How do cities or nations identify themselves to potential visitors? The golden age of travel may be long gone, but its...
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montevideo: la aguada
More from Montevideo! Branching off from Plaza Fabini near the beginning of Avenida 18 de Julio, Avenida Lavalleja cuts a wide angle through the barrio of La Aguada & ends at the Palacio...
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From the city center, two pleasant options exist for arriving to Parque Rodó, one of the larger green areas of Montevideo: taking the first half of Boulevard España or wandering along the coast. Both...
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montevideo: el prado
Located north & further inland than the Ciudad Vieja, the area that comprises El Prado began as an agricultural zone with large farms & only a few roads. But Montevideo under siege in the 19th...
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montevideo: final thoughts
After only three visits, no doubt I'd developed a certain fondness for Montevideo. With a fantastic coastline, the promise of even more areas to explore & very friendly people, it's a good thing I...
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catalunya: cause for separation?
Working with tour groups in Spain, the question of Catalan independence comes up frequently. I do my best to try to explain the issue as concisely & fairly as possible, but this topic truly...
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argentine literature: una excursión a los indios ranqueles
Coronel Lucio V. Mansilla requested a very particular assignment: to be sent as a diplomat on behalf of the national government into Indian territory in order to defend a previously-signed peace treaty…
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