A journey through Wales is a walk through the landscape of my childhood imagination. It was like traveling through the fragments of dreams barely remembered, with a constant haze of deja vu hovering just over my shoulder. My friends and I were driving to the town of Hay-on-Wye, site of a famous literary festival and home to more used bookstores than any other place on the planet. Conversation...
One of the most interesting things about living in the Mediterranean is the culture of the aperitif and digestif. Every country seems to have its own version. And exploring them is part of the fun of the region’s “slow food” culture. The traveler side of me loves the stories behind these drinks, and their unique pedigree. The fitness enthusiast side is curious about one simple question: do they...
I’ve got a short video to share with you today. Ever wonder which piece of geography qualifies as the worst smelling place on the planet? Well, I found it…
I really wish I could make this video scratch and sniff. You can’t fully appreciate this place unless you’ve had it seared into your nose.
Enjoy!
You know what really pisses me off? Chamomile tea. Anything labelled “soothing” or “calming” drives my anger through the roof. Are you saying I need to calm down???? Are you? Well great job then Mr. Crystal Rubber, because I HATE being told what to do. Don’t be surprised if “someone” eggs your house… I need calming down like I need 14 assholes. Sleepytime Tea! Bah! I want a tea that...
I found a quote in my notebook that I want to share with you: “Studies are pointed to indicating that of all the professions medicine is the one most likely to attract people with high personal anxieties about dying.” How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter by Sherwin B. Nuland I wonder if writing attracts a disproportionate number of people with high personal anxieties about...
I bought a copy of The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World last week. The new 2012 edition, with the planet sketched out in map sheets so beautiful they rival high art. I’ve dreamed of owning this enormous atlas as far back as high school. And in university I went to the library between classes to flip through its pages. But I could never afford to buy one back then. It’s nice to finally...
Music is essential for any trip. It entrances us on long journeys by bus or rail, occupying the conscious mind and allowing insight to float up from the depths. You listen to those same songs over and over, and they soak up the landscape, the smells and the very feeling of the place. They colour the way you see it just like different shades of glass colour a sunny day. Here’s what’s on my travel...
Kick back your chair and tilt your hat to a rakish angle. It’s time for a short update on what’s new in Road Wisdom Land. My latest magazine feature was just added to the Articles page. If you missed it at the newsstand, you can now read it online. It’s a story of mystery, myth and our search for the real man behind the legend of King Arthur. I learned that a journey through Wales is a lot like...
I typically read about 100 books each year (… and yes, I count them). Everything from travel literature to poetry, history, psychology, fiction and memoir. I’d like to take a moment to share my top reads of the past year—ten great books that earned my Road Wisdom Stamp of Approval, from one book lover to another. Chasing by Kathryn Woodall I picked up this excellent first novel on my...
Jeez, I disappear into the deserts of Namibia for a couple weeks and the news world turns over… I learned of the death of Kim Jong Il when I stopped for fuel in the town of Otjiwarongo. Anyone who followed his rare appearances in recent years could see a visible decline in his health, but still, the announcement of his death caught me off guard. I’ve been a keen North Korea watcher since I...