The flight from Montreal to Lisbon on TAP was uneventful. We stopped in the Azores for cleaning and refuelling. Fresh local pineapple was delicious. Arrived in Lisbon around 10:00. First impressions that Lisbon was once a grand city as after all Portugal was a colonial power at one point. But it seems falling apart inContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :4July1978: Lisbon, Portugal: The Overwhelming Decadence of Lisbon”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
RKS Wine: Douro’s Uniqo
A blend of Touriga Nacional (50%), Touriga Franca (30%) and Tinta Roriz (20%). It has spent 18 months in French oak. On the nose this portrays itself as a very big wine with notes of Chambord, black cherry, fig jam and blackberry. On the palate the tannins are moderate with acids totally under control. TheContinue reading “RKS Wine: Douro’s Uniqo”
RKS Film: “Perfecting the Art of Longing”: Locked in an Eternal Prison
Rabbi Ronnie Cahana suffered a brainstem stroke in 2011 rendering him a quadriplegic. For 9 years he has been bedridden with slow speech. Rabbi Cahana was a family man. He was a scholar, poet and community leader and then the stroke. Institutionalized requiring round the clock care in a Montreal long term care facility heContinue reading “RKS Film: “Perfecting the Art of Longing”: Locked in an Eternal Prison”
“Travels to a Different Time” : 16August1975: Good-Bye 1975 Europe!
So exhausted. Four months of being a vagabond. Too many cold showers, continental breakfasts, crappy beer and food but so many fascinating sights that many will never see as they will not be able to go back into 1975 ever. Well on the plane to a super nice crew who were freaking out with theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 16August1975: Good-Bye 1975 Europe!”
“Travels to a Different Time” : 14August1975: Strasbourg, France: Swindler of Canadian Taxpayers
A great sleep then a hot shower. A most unpleasant “stinking hot” day. Got a lift from a Frenchman who was working as a bartender at the Canadian armed forces base in Lahr. We stopped at his flat in Strasbourg which was littered with “hot merchandise” stolen from the base. Booze, cigarettes (cartons of them)Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 14August1975: Strasbourg, France: Swindler of Canadian Taxpayers”
RKS Film: “Good Life”: Entrepreneurs Hustling Entrepreneurs!
Remember that famous phrase of P.T. Barnum, “There is a sucker born every minute.” In the documentary “Good Life” there are many youthful suckers born. Take your choice of treating the film as a serious look into the minds of young entrepreneurs or a comedy exploring the gullibility of Musk and Branson wannabes. Many callContinue reading “RKS Film: “Good Life”: Entrepreneurs Hustling Entrepreneurs!”
“Travels to a Different Time” : 13August1975: Lahr, Germany: Meeting up with Fritz
Up for a continental breakfast. Not sure how many more of those I can take. Off to the autobahn via a tram and stupid me forgot to buy a ticket. I thought the conductor would come and take payment. Well “control” came and bawled me out in a nasty voice and threatened to confiscate myContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 13August1975: Lahr, Germany: Meeting up with Fritz”
“Travels to a Different Time ” : 12August1975: Zurich, Switzerland: Arrogant Not So Good-Looking French Girls
Birthday today as no longer a teenager. Was up in the farmhouse at 06:30 for fresh bread and homemade jam. My host gave me some Swiss coins. When the rain subsided off to the road and 4 lifts later in Zurich. Got a room near the train station for $8 but at least lots ofContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time ” : 12August1975: Zurich, Switzerland: Arrogant Not So Good-Looking French Girls”
RKS Wine: Mayhem’s Sauvignon Blanc: The Best in the World?
The Mayhem 2020 Sauvignon Blanc was the best white wine I reviewed last year. Not the best Canadian but the best in the world. Yet all the trumpets are blaring in New Zealand about their Sauvignon Blanc and if they aren’t careful about over production those trumpets could soon be playing a funeral dirge. AndContinue reading “RKS Wine: Mayhem’s Sauvignon Blanc: The Best in the World?”
“Travels to a Different Time” : 11August1975: Alstätten, Switzerland: Staying in the Hills with A Young Swiss Farmer
A good sleep but still tired after that Magic Bus trip. A monotonous continental breakfast. Got a lift with an Italian in a Fiat saying he was going all the way to Austria but he changed his mind 40 kms before the border. Next ride being rescued out of the rain was with some GermansContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 11August1975: Alstätten, Switzerland: Staying in the Hills with A Young Swiss Farmer”
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