I’ll start this entry with links to two articles of concern, I don’t like to get political, but sometimes it’s inevitable. And so, I have just begun work as a volunteer translator for http://www.rightsinrussia.org/, a UK-based site. Apparently, it is more dangerous to be a journalist in Turkey nowadays than in Russia, as this article details. Since my Balkans trip in 2014, I have been much more conscious of Turkey’s influence on European history—including the Ottoman Empire becoming a refuge for persecuted Jews. And there’s the dark side, the Armenian genocide, among other things. The second link is to a nicely nuanced NY Times story on China’s odd status as colonial power.
Since my previous post was on Venice, I thought I’d follow up with this story about limiting fast food vendors in an attempt to maintain the city’s integrity. Travel news buffs know about its attempts to curb the number of tourists—a phenomenon that’s been seen in other cities, like Barcelona, and sights such as Machu Picchu.
Finally, since my main focus is on Central Europe and the years that I lived there, I have to mention that “The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz” celebrates 150 years in 2017. It premiered in a male chorus version 15 February 1867. I’m a bit late you think? Well, on that anniversary date I was heavily involved in the four-day run of the musical The Most Happy Fella. But I can make up for it now, since the orchestral arrangement everyone knows premiered in May 1867 in conjunction with the Paris World Expo.
Below, please have a look at the Video from the Vienna Philharmonic’s 2010 New Year’s Concert. I chose it for the views of the river in several countries, flowing from modern-day Austria through Hungary, Serbia, etc. I'm sorry they missed Slovakia. I’ll come back with a fuller entry next week, with some pics from my own travels at various points on the Danube.
Also coming up this month: Summer Reading List. I'll review Tiziano Scarpa's Venice is a Fish, Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient, and Rick Steve's Travel as a Political Act.
Since my previous post was on Venice, I thought I’d follow up with this story about limiting fast food vendors in an attempt to maintain the city’s integrity. Travel news buffs know about its attempts to curb the number of tourists—a phenomenon that’s been seen in other cities, like Barcelona, and sights such as Machu Picchu.
Finally, since my main focus is on Central Europe and the years that I lived there, I have to mention that “The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz” celebrates 150 years in 2017. It premiered in a male chorus version 15 February 1867. I’m a bit late you think? Well, on that anniversary date I was heavily involved in the four-day run of the musical The Most Happy Fella. But I can make up for it now, since the orchestral arrangement everyone knows premiered in May 1867 in conjunction with the Paris World Expo.
Below, please have a look at the Video from the Vienna Philharmonic’s 2010 New Year’s Concert. I chose it for the views of the river in several countries, flowing from modern-day Austria through Hungary, Serbia, etc. I'm sorry they missed Slovakia. I’ll come back with a fuller entry next week, with some pics from my own travels at various points on the Danube.
Also coming up this month: Summer Reading List. I'll review Tiziano Scarpa's Venice is a Fish, Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient, and Rick Steve's Travel as a Political Act.
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