Category Archives: History
Z is for Zgorzelec and Zakopane
I expect some of you have heard of Zakopane, in the Tatry Mountains in Poland? Zgorzelec, maybe not, but it is a town of great significance for me. It’s the … Continue reading
T is for the Tavira Vase
Now this may not be what you’re expecting, but I’m well aware that I’ve filled pages with the delights of Tavira, in Portugal’s Eastern Algarve. So I thought I’d dedicate … Continue reading
O is for Olhão
From its situation on the Ria Formosa, it was always obvious that Olhão would make a fine fishing port. The town’s growth was enabled by a large spring or olho … Continue reading
W is for Warsaw
I gazed in awe at Plac Zamkowy, Castle Square, with its serene Royal Palace, barely believing that this was all reconstruction. I said that I don’t have an emotional connection … Continue reading
K is for Krakow
Polish cities have had to be masters of the art of survival. Nowhere is this better illlustrated than in Kraków, Poland’s ancient capital and seat of its kings for … Continue reading
S is for Sumol
Probably anyone who ever even just passed through Portugal saw or tried Sumol or/and Compal. Sumol + Compal (http://www.sumolcompal.pt/) is a merge between two Portuguese companies. In the crisis they wanted to shut … Continue reading
X is for Xenophobia
For letter X of my A-Z of the Dominican Republic I am looking at X for Xenophobia. Xenophobia comes from the Greek xenos meaning stranger or foreigner and phobosmeaning fear, so literally it … Continue reading
I is for Iglesia
On Sundays here in the barrio I can hear singing and shouting and clapping from around eight churches, and that is just those I can hear from my house. God … Continue reading
H is for Handkerchiefs of Love; a Romantic Portuguese Tradition
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, which seems the perfect time to mention the wonderful embroidered handkerchiefs of northern Portugal. You can find them, or products inspired by them, in most souvenir shops in … Continue reading
My A-Z of The Netherlands: A is for Almere
Almere is the youngest city of The Netherlands. Situated in Flevoland, the most recent province of the country, the first house was finished in 1976. Named after the early … Continue reading
