Category Archives:Culture

“Boy, those French. They have a different word for everything.” – Steve Martin

Living in a place where they don’t speak your native language is a real adventure, and if you approach it with more curiosity than anxiety, it can be a bit of fun. One source of both challenge and fun for me is words that have different meanings in different languages. Not just the simple-minded ones like “hat” (German ‘it has’ – don’t put it on your head) or “est” (not a time zone), albeit those bring a smile from time to time. Today I happened on a sign with the pithy message “Gut!”, which auto-activates my neural pathway for thinking about my internal organs (as in “a punch in the . . .”), but of course the Viennese sign maker was just saying “Good!”

Aktion - By Gary Duane Cox

No, what provides more fascination are words for things, nouns in everyday use, which have come to mean different things in different places, usually related things, with traceable kinship. Not surprising – objects in common use get tossed about and used however the user needs them. A hard flat metal disc (coin) can open a tin, turn a screw, get flipped for decision making, or serve as a value-unit in an economic transaction. A flat-bottomed, open topped container may hold a flower, a tasty intoxicant, or a message from someone stranded on a desert island.  Words are objects too, and they get jerked around.

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What would be more romantic than dancing a waltz in Vienna for Valentine’s Day?

St Valentine’s Day is waiting just around the corner impatient to revive February’s frozen gloomy days and I am sitting in my kitchen fancying the perfect romantic break.  Digging into my memories, there are not many things that reflect true romance more than waltzing in Vienna.

This memory of Vienna is elegant like an ancient ball room, and I can almost tastes the fresh baked appfelstrudel.  These may seem like stereotypes, but they’re just too true.  All these qualities make the city a perfect destination for St. Valentine’s Day, or any other cold winter evening when luxurious fabrics, gold, and gowns feel appropriate.

Photo by moritz.schmaltz on flickr

The Viennese Waltz

The Viennese waltz is not just a style in a dance competition or the forgotten memory of an epoch; it’s a real gem still alive in the Viennese culture.  Below I discuss where and when to go to a ball, what to wear (and how to find it for cheap), and where to take a waltzing lesson!

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A lot of the museums in London are free and I love it. I find that one visit usually isn’t enough for me to really take in a museum, plus my feet start to hurt and, after about an hour, my brain has absorbed all it can. So being able to go back multiple times for free takes the pressure off and really allows you to hone in one a specific part of the museum.

London has some pretty fantastic artwork. Places like the Tate Modern and the British Museum are stocked with everything from ancient Egyptian mummies to contemporary film installations by some of the top artists in the world, British and international.

But if that all sounds a little overwhelming to you, it’s possible to pick a more specialized museum. One great place to start is the Museum of London, which chronicles the city’s fascinating history from Roman times to today.

But today, I’m going to tell you about the Wallace Collection.

Canaletto paintings. Photo: Megan Eaves

I’d never heard of this gem of a museum before, so when our English friend rang and invited us to go on Saturday, we of course jumped at the chance. The Wallace Collection is a collection of furnishings, paintings and housewares owned by the Marquesses of Hertford and the Wallace family in the 18th and 19th centuries. Read More »

When most people think of American wines, their thoughts gravitate toward California–specifically Napa and Sonoma. Nothing wrong with that; California turns out an excellent product. On the opposite coast, however, is Virginia. While not as prolific as California, Virginia’s wineries turn out several complex and tasty varieties amid scenic surroundings that are just as lovely as anything found in California. Try these three the next time you find yourself in the mid-Atlantic.

Vineyard, photo by deannanmc

Set on a 475 acre farm by Shadow Lake, Tarara Winery has a sunny patio for socializing and a delightfully extensive tasting menu. Tastings are $10 per person but well worth the money; the wines themselves are very affordable and your biggest problem will be choosing which one you want to enjoy outside and which ones you want to take home. If you like white wines, you’ll want to try their Charval. It’s a blend of chardonnay, pinot gris, vigonier, and sauvignon blanc that is crisp and sunny. The chardonnay itself comes from five different regions of the farm which lends a lot of complexity and interest to the flavor. Personally, I’m happy with anything Tarara sells as long as I can pair it with some of the local cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolates on sale just next to the tasting floor.

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The idea of being a hometown tourist is something I’ve touched on in earlier entries. People who have the wanderlust but not the means to go on a ’round-the-world trip sometimes fall into this trap: if you can’t go far away from home, you haven’t really traveled. This is entirely untrue! If you have children, have National Park sites nearby, or if you simply want to get to know your area better, playing hometown tourist is a fun way to see the world without spending a fortune.

Hawaiian shave ice, fifteen minutes from home. Photo by deannanmc

The first place to check is your local tourism board. Depending on the population of your geographic area, the range covered by these boards may be by city, county, or state. This will generally cover your major landmarks, popular museums, and most famous attractions and often they’ll be able to tell you if there are any special deals or coupons available for entry. Your local chamber of commerce will have similar information for member businesses and will have event information for local happenings. Of course, if you need other options, the Tripwolf website allows you to search for worthy destinations by region.

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Surprise: one of the most delicious things you can eat in Japan doesn’t even have Japanese origins. Yakiniku – Korean-style barbecue adapted to Japanese tastes – is an extremely popular food in Japan, due to the country’s high percentage of Korean immigrants. Yakiniku (焼肉) literally means “grilled meat” in Japanese. Part of yakiniku’s appeal is the campfire-like atmosphere: each diner cooks his or her own meat on the grill built right into the table.

Osaka, Japan’s second-largest city, is home to the world’s largest population of Koreans outside of Korea. The Tsuruhashi neighborhood is Osaka’s little Korea - a labyrinth of Korean food and goods vendors underneath the train station. It is quite possibly the best-smelling place in Japan.

Yakiniku isn’t the most cost-friendly cuisine, but remains a hallmark of social and business gatherings nonetheless. Birthday parties and sayonara parties are made all the more bittersweet by the tangy smell of roasting meat. It is raw, simple deliciousness on a plate. Read on for some tips to better enjoy your yakiniku dining experience.

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Colin is a past tripwolf blogger who is now fulfilling his dream of traveling and filming documentaries about world music. Two years ago, he completed a documentary on Caribbean music entitled, “Destination, Music.”  Now, he is just back from Andalusia, Spain, and editing his newest film about the art of Flamenco.

Interview with Sr. Merengue - Photo by Masha D'yans

Colin on this new project: “I can’t say exactly what made me undertake this project, other than a  fascination with Flamenco, and a sense that the more I learned about it, the  less I understood. Once I made the decision to go ahead, my goal was  straightforward and simple: to create something that was beautiful to look at,  but that also conveyed the passions, personalities and notions of  those who dedicate themselves to the art of Flamenco.  The film is currently in post-production, and is scheduled for released in the late Spring/early Summer of 2012.”

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I forget why we chose to make Cakebread Cellars part of our sojourn through Napa and Sonoma (a trip we fondly refer to as “Boozecation”). It certainly wasn’t a hotel recommendation; as part of an effort to save money we stayed in a campground. Whatever it was that inspired us to go, I’m glad that we did. Cakebread Cellars is an essential stop on any tour of the northern California wineries.

Cakebread Cellars. Photo by deannanmc

One thing that you have to know about Cakebread is that it is not a walk-in winery. In order to sample the wares you must make an appointment for a tasting. We did the basic tasting of their current releases (which is $15 as of this writing) but there are six different options at varying price levels. The food-and-wine pairing option utilizes ingredients from the revered Cakebread garden, an organic marvel maintained on the grounds. The quality of the wines and the food showcase Cakebread’s commitment to both healthy, sustainable food culture and fine wine that’s also fun and accessible.

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Are you getting weary of the same old Christmas Markets in Central Europe? How about something exotic? Come to Bratislava, just an hour east of Vienna on the suburban train from South Station (Südbahnhof), for an Eastern European Christmas Market experience.

Photo by Gary Duane Cox

Bratislava has been part of Hungary for much of its history, but under Viennese rule for much of that time, and both influences are present.  The native Slovak traditions have been coming into their own for a while, and now that Slovakia is its own country (even separate now from the neighboring Czechs – it’s one of Europe’s newer countries), the locals are basking in their native culture.   The ban on Christmas (during the communist years) ended a few decades ago, and the Christmas Market phenomenon is a welcome breath of fresh air.  It’s more like a local block-party than a touristic attraction – but you’ll feel welcome, as everyone is super friendly.

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