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I have always been fascinated by stories about how a long forgotten stunning geological formation or breathtaking canyon or intriguing system of caverns has been rediscovered, such as this one about a “lost” 400 foot waterfall. How extravagant we are forgetting beautiful things; someday they may be scarce. We have one such treasure near my [...]
Archive for the ‘Travel Commentary’ Category
March 15th, 2011
Category: Personal moment, Travel Commentary
I have been working with the London Metropolitan Police to reduce alcohol-involved violence. After I gave a talk with Deputy Mayor Malthouse at the London Drug and Alcohol Policy Forum, the organizers very thoughtfully gave me this gift from the archives. These truncheons were carried by bobbies from the Victorian Era until about 15 years [...]
January 7th, 2011
Airline meals.
November 22nd, 2010
Category: Commerce and its discontents, Travel Commentary
American travelers in the Arab world are often surprised by the lack of a customer service mentality in the private sector. The connecting airplane in Tripoli isn’t at the gate, and rather than giving an explanation, the staff all leave the area so as to avoid dealing with irate customers. The plumber in Cairo shows [...]
August 19th, 2010
Category: Travel Commentary, Woolgathering
One of my dreams is to meet the nitwit who thought a good way to load an airplane through a door at the front is front seats first. If things go well, it will be on an airplane, and I will have a heavy carry-on with sharp corners, which I will drop on his toes. [...]
September 2nd, 2008
Category: Travel Commentary
NYT headline:
“Disclosures on Palin Raise Questions on Vetting Process”
April 5th, 2006
More on population decrease and its causes and costs.
April 4th, 2006
Category: Politics and Leadership, Travel Commentary
Several readers wrote with comments similar to Andy’s reactions to my post on the low birth rates in most of Europe and their probably consequences. Taking Andy’s points in order, 1. Yes the average population density of Europe is high compared to the US. That is not why housing is expensive in those of its [...]
Eating Some Jobs Along With Your Eggs and Bacon
Due to a pulled muscle and some cuts from a mishap, my right hand has been a bandaged, painful and clumsy paw this week. My injury did however give me some perspective on the downsides of hotel breakfast buffets. This was my early morning colloquy with a harried hostess at a hotel restaurant: “We have [...]
Posted: Saturday, October 15th, 2011 at 6:51 am
9 Comments »