Chicago is one of the (few) cities in the US that can support hostels, so due to their lower costs, excellent locations, and tourism support I decided to go that route. As is often the case, wandering the streets alone was replaced by more social activities, which certainly changes the dynamic of the experience.

I haven’t been a very good tourist here in Tallinn, just kind of settling in quickly given my extended stay. I’m nearly 20 days in, and I’ve done a ton of walking around, but not a lot of going inside to see things. I can appreciate the reserved Estonian mentality, everyone keeping to himself/herself and more or less ignoring everyone else. Fitting just in, I’ve managed to go this entire time without having a conversation with anyone, despite everyone speaking good English.
Continue reading It’s a war over my tangerines →

I flew into Portland for a little vacation on my way to Seattle this time to see if it lived up to the show’s hype, and it more or less did. Hipster, but not as comically so of course. But it’s the land of craft beers and not real jobs and tattoos, as far as I can tell. Continue reading I guess people are just cropping out all the sadness →

Back to the land from which democracy, for better or worse, spawned. So there’s a bit of an obligatory awe you’re required to feel putting things into perspective, even though what you’re really looking at is pretty worn out rocks. So maybe I’m crazy for being a little underwhelmed by the ruins, but so be it. Continue reading It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it →

Before my trip out to the west coast, I decided to spend a week or so in Boston.  It’s a very clean, pristine city but overall didn’t do much for me.  I did a LOT of walking around from my base in the Chinatown area, and did plenty of work in the area coffee shops and library.  But a LOT of just walking around. Continue reading I’ll bet you can’t tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel →

This is beginning a series of posts that are purely for posterity so I don’t forget where I’ve been or something.  My picture archives aren’t great, so you’ve got to deal with what I’ve got.

Now that my brother lives in Maryland, we went to visit him and went to Philadelpha, Wilmington, and Washington DC in the process. Continue reading Cat in the wall, eh? Ok, now you’re talking my language. →

I arrived in Amsterdam on Sunday evening.  I’m staying out of the center of the city closer to the museums, which is kind of my preferred way to do things.  The hostel I’m staying in is very small and cozy, which is kind of a nice change.

With only a few people there, you’ve got to talk to everyone and the hostel people are much more personal.  One of the workers there took us on a walk down to the center of the city, actually it was more like a trek.  We had a beer at some Australian place, then a more authentic Dutch bar, and then a more touristy bar in the red light district area. Continue reading My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations. →

Like the rest of the world, things don’t really open until at least 9 on Saturday.  I actually had trouble finding a coffee shop to work in (I was out of the hotel at 7), but eventually found a place to get some work done. Continue reading Chapter One. He was as tough and romantic as the city he loved. →