May you live in interesting times, goes the old Chinese curse – which is of course neither that old, nor Chinese, but it’s common western misconception that anything vaguely clever must be a traditional Chinese proverb. But, misquoted and misunderstood pearls of wisdom look great on Instagram. But don’t we just live in exciting times? … More 127 – Don’t Worry, It Does Get Better…
Madrid is not a city where your average tourist could admire wonders of old architecture. There is no medieval city centre. There is no breathtaking cathedral. Well, there is Almudena, but the only reason it takes your breath away is its sheer ugliness. There are many precedents in Spanish history that demonstrate certain resistance to … More 126 – Brutiful Madrid
Quick pre-Christmas visit to Prague, without any Christmas atmosphere to it, unless you consider tacky lights on any available surface, people rushing like headless chickens from one overcrowded shopping centre to another and ever-present stench of bad mulled wine festive. Weather was mostly disgusting, wet and foggy. Too many people and no decent light prevented … More 125 – Gloomy Postcards from Prague
An excellent tip for an autumn day escape from Madrid. I am perfectly aware that it’s end of December, and that my advice comes a little late, but hopefully it will be autumn again, at some point. Next year. Potentially. I wanted to try my best and give everybody a Christmas break from my ranting, … More 124 – Around Madrid: Montejo de la Sierra
I am so much behind with this blog and finally got to reviewing and publishing the photos from last summer that it almost seems like I’m nostalgic. I am anything but. Summer is possibly my least favourite season of the year, especially in this country, when it’s simply too hot to do anything, any sport … More 123 – Goodbye, summer!
When I say I travel a lot for work, I usually get a reaction of excitement and envy. And while a work where one travels often can generally sound appealing, the way I do it isn’t. More often than not I spend more time at the airport or in the aircraft than in the actual … More 122 – Aarhus
Relax everyone, no rant this time. I have literally no strength. The only good thing about this tedious month is Sant’Ambrogio, not because I am in any way devout to this particular saint, but because the Milan opera house, La Scala, launches the new season and airs the performance worldwide. Other than that, this time … More 121 – Toledo & Segovia II
Disclaimer: I am no Émile Zola, nevertheless, an exasperated rant ahead. Consider yourselves warned. Where to begin…well, the election weekend in Spain triggered it, I guess. A lot of people seem to feel comfortable to voice their delirious opinions lately. People from my fencing club, for instance. While I am perfectly aware that people who … More 120 – J’Accuse… 2019!
Facebook has lately been throwing back at me all the travel photos from two years ago (already!!!), thus achieving to bring my wanderlust to barely bearable levels. And while I am looking back at all the wonderful places I got to visit and all the fantastic people I met, I am musing about why people … More 119 – S’I Fosse Foco, Arderei l’Mondo
Summer in Madrid is to be avoided, or rather, Madrid in summer. The city becomes a frying pan. I really struggle to understand what is the appeal of hot weather, and I look rather suspiciously at people who claim they love it. Because what exactly is there to love when the thermometer still shows 38 … More 118- Around Madrid
