Category: United States
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Americana supreme and international phenom – the World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, Georgia
I had only heard about this dream world, this Neverland, where I could partake in all-you-can-drink Coke products from around the world. We don’t usually keep soda/pop/soft drinks in the house. Nothing good comes from guzzling that carbonated booze. . . except evoking fond memories. This wonderland of flavored corn syrup took me back to…
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The Biltmore Estate – stoking my Downton Abbey flame
The popularity of Downton Abbey has surely increased the number of wanna-be upstairs dwellers (or wanna be downstairs dwellers) who visit the aristocratic mansions of wealthy Americans who lived during the same time period. My appreciation for the Biltmore historic château, home of the famed Vanderbilt dynasty, would not be nearly as great if I…
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Chicago’s German Christmas market – context gives pleasure
The young German sipped a mug of gluhwein and chatted with his American buddy. Standing behind us, he spoke with a thick German accent. “You can go to L.A., New York, you don’t see a Christmas market like this.” There you have it. America’s Second City boasts the country’s largest, most authentic German Christkindlmarket. The…
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Parental pride at the President’s house – Monticello, Virginia
On the east coast of the United States historic sites are as numerous as the dust bunnies on my floor. There are a lot. And instead of cleaning my house and sweeping dust wads, we are being intentional about visiting some of those sites. Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, was our most recent victim. Little Peanut…
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The boring meerkat, ubiquitous squirrel and chocolate acorn
Squirrels are America’s meerkat. The locals don’t bat an eye at them, but the visitor finds them fascinating. While living in East Africa, meerkats were boring. Meerkats, meerkats, more meerkats. At the American zoo, they draw crowds. I haven’t seen North American squirrels in a zoo in Africa (embarrassing disclaimer: I haven’t been to a…
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Model alien in the front yard
We all know we travel or live abroad to expose ourselves to new foods, cultures, people and ways of life. I wouldn’t generally say I travel to expose myself to new insect experiences. But sometimes those experiences can’t be avoided and it’s all I can do to turn them into a positive educational experience for…
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American Road Trip (Part IV): Passionate handworking
We met people enjoying, relishing, yea, even thriving, doing work with their hands. There’s something pleasantly appealing about people who work slowly, steadily and are rewarded with a visually stunning piece of handiwork. We met several such artisans this summer as we crossed the country. Some had small craft shops, some were simple hobbyists and…
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American Road Trip (Part III): the National Park Tour that wasn’t
When we found out we were moving crosscountry, we intended to stop and stay in at least six U.S. National Parks. Travelers come from across the the globe to visit and enjoy some of the greatest (in every sense of the word) national parks in the world. We do not take them, or our tax…
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American Road Trip (Part II): Coffee in the shadow of the Little Bighorn Battlefield
On some days of this trip our goal is to cover miles, not stop at every point of interest. We do have to get to our final destination this summer. . . But we couldn’t pass up the National Historic Landmark at the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Americans are taught about the historic events that took place among…
will travel with kids 