The Unexpected Traveller\'s Blog
As I travel around the world, I marvel at the complexity and beauty of modern life and reflect on the fact that odd people are everywhere
Articles
Jumping To (Belgian) Conclusions
2010-03-11 03:00:47
The Soul Soother sits quietly next to me as I drive. I aim the car along the road cutting through the forest that is close to our house when I brake suddenly. We are on our way to meet friends. We have agreed to meet for a coffee and a chat just outside Brussels at a [...]
2010-03-11 03:00:47
The Soul Soother sits quietly next to me as I drive. I aim the car along the road cutting through the forest that is close to our house when I brake suddenly. We are on our way to meet friends. We have agreed to meet for a coffee and a chat just outside Brussels at a [...]
Musically Enhanced Norwegians
2010-03-08 03:00:17
It is early. I have showered, changed and breakfasted. My laptop is in my bag and I am waiting, patiently, for one of the big blue trams to lurch its way towards me. Somehow, the place looks grim. Maybe I have not had enough coffee. Maybe Oslo is always like this so early in the [...]
2010-03-08 03:00:17
It is early. I have showered, changed and breakfasted. My laptop is in my bag and I am waiting, patiently, for one of the big blue trams to lurch its way towards me. Somehow, the place looks grim. Maybe I have not had enough coffee. Maybe Oslo is always like this so early in the [...]
Brevity Is The Soul of Twit
2010-03-04 03:00:50
I shrug my jacket on and button it up. Scarf and gloves – all necessities in the Belgian weather – follow the jacket and encase me in a protective cocoon of warmth. The Soul Soother and I get up from our table and collect our belongings before walking out of the café in Brussels’ fashionable [...]
2010-03-04 03:00:50
I shrug my jacket on and button it up. Scarf and gloves – all necessities in the Belgian weather – follow the jacket and encase me in a protective cocoon of warmth. The Soul Soother and I get up from our table and collect our belongings before walking out of the café in Brussels’ fashionable [...]
Springing Away
2010-03-01 03:00:27
I sit here at my desk. The cat is making itself dizzy trying to catch its own tail. Outside, the fluctuating thermometer seems to think that getting warmer is a good thing. Another month closer to Spring then. The Unexpected Traveller’s Blog is brushing the last of the snow flakes from its shoulders too. I’d like to [...]
2010-03-01 03:00:27
I sit here at my desk. The cat is making itself dizzy trying to catch its own tail. Outside, the fluctuating thermometer seems to think that getting warmer is a good thing. Another month closer to Spring then. The Unexpected Traveller’s Blog is brushing the last of the snow flakes from its shoulders too. I’d like to [...]
Gare Du Midi: Lost By Translation
2010-02-25 03:00:11
The Unexpected Parents are visiting. This is their first time in the land of the Belgians and while they are seasoned travellers in their own right, their French is weak and their Flemish is non-existent. I make sure they have my number before they go to explore on their own. All is well of course, and [...]
2010-02-25 03:00:11
The Unexpected Parents are visiting. This is their first time in the land of the Belgians and while they are seasoned travellers in their own right, their French is weak and their Flemish is non-existent. I make sure they have my number before they go to explore on their own. All is well of course, and [...]
The Unexpected Chapel
2010-02-22 03:00:18
Majestic, regal almost. It possesses a quiet dignity which belies its turbulent history. It dips below the tree line, almost as if it is coyly daring me to try to discover its secrets. It is the chapel that the rest of the world forgot. It is an ex-Satanists chapel. It was serendipity that brought me here. [...]
2010-02-22 03:00:18
Majestic, regal almost. It possesses a quiet dignity which belies its turbulent history. It dips below the tree line, almost as if it is coyly daring me to try to discover its secrets. It is the chapel that the rest of the world forgot. It is an ex-Satanists chapel. It was serendipity that brought me here. [...]
Bella Cucina
2010-02-15 03:00:52
I breathe in deeply. The cold air around me plays with the little detritus scattered along the street. I close my eyes and feel the hand of history on my shoulder. This, I tell myself, is Rome. I walk, slowly, savouring each sight and each site the way a connoisseur savours every mouthful of food. I walk past a ruin [...]
2010-02-15 03:00:52
I breathe in deeply. The cold air around me plays with the little detritus scattered along the street. I close my eyes and feel the hand of history on my shoulder. This, I tell myself, is Rome. I walk, slowly, savouring each sight and each site the way a connoisseur savours every mouthful of food. I walk past a ruin [...]
Hard Pressed
2010-02-11 03:00:00
I am tired. It has been a long day emphasized by the fact that my trip was in the evening. To add insult to injury, the baggage handlers at Rome Fiumicino decided that letting us wait 45 minutes for our bags would be a reasonable thing to do. I grab my bag and, fighting away [...]
2010-02-11 03:00:00
I am tired. It has been a long day emphasized by the fact that my trip was in the evening. To add insult to injury, the baggage handlers at Rome Fiumicino decided that letting us wait 45 minutes for our bags would be a reasonable thing to do. I grab my bag and, fighting away [...]
The Unexpected Bus
2010-02-04 03:00:12
I stop walking. Beside me, the Soul Soother makes tiny steps forward. She is wearing inappropriate shoes for the snow we’ve had recently and refuses to wear snow boots when she’s all dressed up for the evening. Now, she clutches my arm and holds on for dear life. “Shall I get the car round?” I offer [...]
2010-02-04 03:00:12
I stop walking. Beside me, the Soul Soother makes tiny steps forward. She is wearing inappropriate shoes for the snow we’ve had recently and refuses to wear snow boots when she’s all dressed up for the evening. Now, she clutches my arm and holds on for dear life. “Shall I get the car round?” I offer [...]
Mid-Winter Musings
2010-02-01 03:00:50
Excellent news on the popularity front – Thanks to the good folks at www.userfriendly.org and their “Link of the Day” feature, one of my posts was used by them on Jan 08. On the day, I had 1,240 new visitors and a few hundred or so more dropped by over the weekend. Thanks guys! With a [...]
2010-02-01 03:00:50
Excellent news on the popularity front – Thanks to the good folks at www.userfriendly.org and their “Link of the Day” feature, one of my posts was used by them on Jan 08. On the day, I had 1,240 new visitors and a few hundred or so more dropped by over the weekend. Thanks guys! With a [...]