Kleine Berlin
Kleine Berlin is the Italian pejorative for the area of Trieste where German soldiers were worked and lived during World War II. Kleine Berlin also refers to the air raid…
Hungarian Revolution Memorial
An unexpected find while walking through Boston's Financial District: a statue commemorating the failed 1956 Hungarian uprising against communist rule. Commissioned by the Hungarian Society of Massachusetts, the statue was…
Unique Restroom Signage
As seen at the Lipica Stud Farm in Slovenia. With 24 official European Union languages, originality is required to get patrons to the correct bathroom: Madame/Monsieur (French), Damen/Herren (German and…
Desperate Times For Britain?
Is this what it's come to? A fairly nondescript flyer poorly taped to a bulletin board in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, apparently begging continental Europeans that they are relevant ten…
Technology Run Amuck?
Next stop: Zürich Airport! Screen time for all, not a personal interaction in sight. Sigh.
Italy Rental Car Fiasco
I thought the logistics were straight-forward: land in Venice, pick up the rental car, and drive to Portorož, Slovenia to speak at tech conference. Then suddenly it wasn't, and our…
Remembering GMAC/RFC
As seen at the Highland Bridge Lunds & Byerly's: an unexpected GMAC/RFC sighting! Its primary line of business was purchasing mortgages from originators and bundling them into securities for sale…
Unlikely Mental Health Cure
Not quite as outrageous as entries seen on engrish.org, but pretty good nevertheless. Imagine its advertising campaign: Depressed? Unexplainable outbursts? Feel your world is spinning out of control? Need something…
Executive Room With Balcony
My wife and I booked a room at the Grand Hotel Portorož for talks I was presenting at JCON Slovenia in Portorož, Slovenia. Very excited upon our arrival in Portorož,…
Free Territory of Tireste
After World War II, Trieste, Italy was de jure was an independent and diplomatically-recognized state, The Free Territory of Trieste, but, due to Soviet intransigence in agreeing to any civilian…