Couldn’t find anything in English about the Eisheilige, so at least until the bots find this corner of the web, this’ll be the lone English explanation. Not sure I like the pressure. The Eisheilige could be translated as ‘icy holy days‘, and I’ve also heard these days called the gestrenge Männer (‘strict men‘). It’s a… Continue reading the Eisheilge and other curiosities
Category: Europe
Eurovision is like a really bad dream…that I slept through
Despite the fact that I know it’s ridiculous, I normally watch Eurovision annually. I seriously considered boycotting it this year because of some things I read about human rights abuses in Azerbaijan, but then it turned out none of the channels in the holiday flat in Spain had Eurovision playing. So, the decision was made… Continue reading Eurovision is like a really bad dream…that I slept through
looking down on the Mediterranean
If you’ve been here a while, you know I like climbing. This blog didn’t exist last year during hiking season but if it had, there would’ve been many posts of mountains I’d climbed. Something to look forward to if you like that sort of thing. When I was in Nice at New Year’s, I wrote… Continue reading looking down on the Mediterranean
tapas and a breath of fresh air
Had seen everything I was going to see on this trip to Seville and it was time for a break. Having been advised that this place was particularly good, I made a beeline for El Atún. Just to be sure I got it right, I’d written down my order: ‘espinaces con garbonthes‘ (spinach with chickpeas)… Continue reading tapas and a breath of fresh air
atop las Setas (the mushrooms)
First you go down a level, then you take the lift up to the second level above the ground floor. As you come out to the most indescribable view, you realise you’re standing atop giant mushrooms. It’s even better than it sounds. There’s the beautiful city of Sevilla spread out below, and did I mention… Continue reading atop las Setas (the mushrooms)
Don’t care if you’re couthie or not…if you shoogle it, you’ll end up draekit. Ya (bleedin’) glaekit numptie.
This blogpost has nearly no actual content. It has a bit, but it’s definitely content light. My friend Jenny recently gave me several Scottish words, and I just had to employ them in any way possible. I had an elaborate plan to create an epic story using my new words, but then I realised I could… Continue reading Don’t care if you’re couthie or not…if you shoogle it, you’ll end up draekit. Ya (bleedin’) glaekit numptie.
another day in Berlin
Typically, this blog is a lot of text and one well-chosen photo. The last several have been the opposite. Lots of visual impressions of Berlin, and not much interpretation. You certainly know I like to write about my thoughts, so I assure you that there’ll be some of that in the coming days. Alas, there’s… Continue reading another day in Berlin
when words lose their meaning
Was going through the papers this morning, and I knew I’d feel it necessary to finally write this today. It’s been festering in my brain for the last few days, and to be honest it’s something I knew I’d eventually be getting round to talking about. Let’s start with the news today. The German government… Continue reading when words lose their meaning
do mention the war, please!
There’s been enough sentimentality here for a while, right? That’s not what you normally come here for. What do you come here for, anyway? I’ve been pondering the things that people coming here seem to enjoy, and the more personal I get…well, it seems that’s what people want to read. I’ve tried covering some relatively… Continue reading do mention the war, please!
Contemplating the Continental Breakup
the idea of Europe I’ve thought quite a bit about how I’d introduce this topic. It’s complicated and nearly impenetrable. Notice I didn’t say impossible. But many Europeans I talk to don’t know where to begin. Or they’re so overwhelmed with the whole thing that they shy away from even trying to start. Many people… Continue reading Contemplating the Continental Breakup