Category Archives: literature

“Travels to a Different Time”: 2006: Füssen: Germany: A Bizarre Detour

Our trip from Wurzburg to Füssen caused us to encounter a bizarre but not unpleasant detour. Enjoyed the buffet breakfast at the Maratim Hotel in Wurzburg although the top of my mouth is a bit raw. Could it be from all these cold cuts the Bavarians love. Too much nitrate? So more cold cuts, sausages,Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: 2006: Füssen: Germany: A Bizarre Detour”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 17June2007: Discovering Passau Germany

Nothing like a good sleep to give a fresher perspective on life. Up at 07:30 feeling more like a human being. Jet lag is the bane of travellers. A bit slow but not half dead. Had showers all round and that felt so good! Breakfast in the hotel in a cute and comfortable country diningContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 17June2007: Discovering Passau Germany”

“Travels to a Different Time ” : 16June2007: Passau Germany: Bavarian Beer Obsession

Left the house at 17:30 for limo ride to Toronto Pearson Airport. Sent to the wrong line for check in. The new system of checking in online then again checking in again at the airport is idiotic. What time does it save? After waiting in a massive line in the wrong check-in counter as directedContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time ” : 16June2007: Passau Germany: Bavarian Beer Obsession”

RKS True Story: My 13 Hours in a Maximum-Security Prison

Always game for a new experience I have moved on from acting as a golf marshal to an election official in Ontario. A few months ago it was for the Ontario provincial election. The polling station was in a condominium party room which was comfortable with a fridge and a microwave and immaculate bathrooms. YesterdayContinue reading “RKS True Story: My 13 Hours in a Maximum-Security Prison”

“Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006: Trip from Samos to Ephesus in Turkey

Fotini, Andrew and I took the trip from Samos to Ephesus 6 years ago so I suppose it is only fair that Alexandra see it so off we went on the “Samos Spirit” a bit of a rust bucket across a few kilometres to Turkey. We left the house at 07:15 and stopped at aContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006: Trip from Samos to Ephesus in Turkey”

“Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006 The Death of a Neighbour in Samos

The day after the Samos Wine Festival we heard a man moaning very loudly in the middle of the night. It sounded like moans of pain or someone trying to communicate or perhaps a bit of both. It was Harry the grandfather just up the way next door who had suffered a stroke a fewContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006 The Death of a Neighbour in Samos”

“Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006: Samos, Greece: Feast of the Dormition of Theotokos

August 15 is a big day on the Greek Orthodox calendar. Everything is shut tight except what directly serves the tourists like mini marts and restaurants. I watched a bit of coverage on Greek TV and just like the old days the priests, politicians and military seem glued to each other. Still in 2006 theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006: Samos, Greece: Feast of the Dormition of Theotokos”

“Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006: Steve the Original Lonely Guy of Samos!

Steve is the original lonely guy of Samos. Alexandra and I encountered Steve at the establishment we were having coffee at. Steve has retired from Germany and moved to Samos. Steve is in his mid seventies and every day he takes the bus from Pythagorio to Vathi and sits at the same table in theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006: Steve the Original Lonely Guy of Samos!”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 4August2006: Amsterdam/Samos: The Spectacle of a Thorough Search!

Up at the absurd hour of 04:00 for a shower in a groggy fog. No breakfast and hopped in a taxi to the airport delayed by bridge construction sending the meter on its happy way with the result a staggering 80 Euro taxi fare to Schiphol. Happy my booking on Martinair to Samos was successful.Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 4August2006: Amsterdam/Samos: The Spectacle of a Thorough Search!”