Category: Sedate

Extremely laid-back

Christmas Trees in Adrian, MI

Culture / Off-the-beaten-path / Sedate / USA

Adrian, Michigan Christmas Trees

The small town of Adrian, Michigan very briefly held the world’s record for largest number of decorated Christmas trees on public display all in one place. Within a few hours, another town took the record. But seeing these trees was still quite a sight, even for someone who hardly cares...

Sedate / USA

My 1st visit to the world’s largest bookstore

Powell’s Books bills itself as the world’s largest independently-owned bookstore. I pay it a visit and film the experience.

Culture / Nature / Sedate / USA

Portland Japanese Gardens

I filmed a recent visit to the Portland Japanese Gardens. These are widely proclaimed to be the best such gardens outside of Japan. And here are some photos from the gardens.

Europe / Off-the-beaten-path / Sedate

The “Big City” (compared to my tiny 16th century French village)

Just four and a half miles from my tiny little French village sits the closest town that actually has

Europe / Off-the-beaten-path / Sedate

Living for a Month in a 16th Century French Village

Here I am, sitting next to a roaring fire in a 16th century French farmhouse. Part of my journey has included housesitting. I often get asked what that is and how it works. Basically,

Europe / Sedate

First impressions of Spain

My journey from Quito, Ecuador to Barcelona, Spain was quite a story. It all started with going to the bus terminal in Quito to buy my ticket to Guayaquil. In English, the words “thirteen” and “thirty” sound vaguely similar. In Spanish, they are even more so. (Trese “tray-say” and Trente...

Sedate / South America / Tropics

The London Eye… in Ecuador!

Many people are familiar with the London Eye. That giant Ferris wheel that allows tourists a bird’s eye view over the city of London. Well, there is a similar wheel in 

Sedate / South America / Tropics

Guayaquil, malecon 2000

Guayaquil, Ecuador is not on a sea coast. Yet it has two separate waterfront boardwalks; malecons, in Spanish. That’s because there is both a bay and a navigable river flanking the city from either side. Both provide ocean access for shipping. Both also provide lovely recreation areas for residents and...

Logistics / Sedate / South America

Grocery shopping in Third World countries

SPOILER ALERT!! If you have the stereotypical vision in mind of Third World markets as seen in Hollywood movies, with 3-day old dead chickens hanging by their feet in the front window, you might end up disappointed. In all the Third World countries I have been to, you can of...

Modes of Transport / Sedate / South America

All Aboard the South American Chicken Bus

Travel by bus is quite common throughout South America. While I’m sure some have visions in mind of a “chicken bus”, the reality is the polar opposite. There are dozens of bus lines and most of them are quite luxurious. Far more so than in the US. I took a...