European Travels II: Top 5

I recently returned from a backpacking excursion that took me through Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and southern Germany.

Here's my Top 5:

5. Varna, Bulgaria: How often do you hear someone say "Hey, we've got some time off, let's go to Bulgaria.". Therein lies the charm of this road-less-traveled. This virtually tourist-free seaside town is both beautiful and consistently entertaining. Moreover, I found almost all Bulgarians to be quite friendly and engaging. It would probably rank higher if I wasn't bedridden from food poisoning (damn you Istanbul).

4. Dubrovnik, Croatia: Apparently George Bernard Shaw called it "paradise on earth". That is probably going too far, but doubtless it's gorgeous and really has to be seen to be appreciated. An amazing old walled city with history, charm, crystal blue waters.... and legions of seniors tours just waiting to drop their dentures in your cappuccino.

3. Greece (All of It): I don't get it - why is Greece always such a good time? This was my second visit, and both times make the top 5. Santorini and Ios rounded out the Island hopping. Santorini was intriguing with its black volcanic sand and beaches, but Ios wins in my books. Athens has Brettos - what more can I say?

2. Krakow, Poland: Maybe it's because of the beautiful old square. Maybe it's because of the overwhemlingly friendly people. Maybe it's because of the delicious, cheap and abundant food. Maybe it's because of my Polish family roots. There's something that makes me love Krakow, and want to go back again and again.

1. Munich for Oktoberfest: Try to think of the biggest party you've ever been to. Multiple that by 100, add in 1L steins of the world's best beer, heaping plates of sausages with sauerkraut, sing-along-inducing-stuck-in-your-head German folk songs, an Oompa band, parties in the streets, an omnipresent feeling of comradery with everyone around you, and, of course, the indispensable Lederhosen. That's what Oktoberfest is like. It's unreal and I am going back. Period.

Cheers,
Brad

Congratulations Heather and Nils!

Well it's official - two of my best friends have just become engaged. Congratulations to Mr. Nils Engelstad and Ms. Heather Hansen!

I've known these two hooligans forever. I first met Heather 14 years ago in Dr. Deller's grade 7 class at Caradoc Central School in Mount Brydges, Ontario. The story of the adventures we've had, the troubles we've endured and the trashy country parties we've crashed since then would take a library's worth of books to tell. She brought Nils into the picture about seven years ago after a trade mission to East Asia. He's a good man. And thorough. (Hat tip to anyone who catches that reference).

A special thanks on the matter to Nils for involving me in the whole process. He first told me he wanted to propose somewhere in the depths of the Balkans - I believe it was Romania. Not sure what motivated him to this decision - perhaps it was the realization of true love... or perhaps it was one of those "If I ever get out of Romania alive..."-type situations. We then traveled to Antwerp, Belgium to find the stone. Three days of diamond-education later Nils made his choice. For someone with very little previous diamond knowledge or appreciation, I must admit - it was an impressive sight. Nils and I must have taken it out to look at a dozen times during the remainder of the Belgian trip.

With the ring purchased, the next matter was how and when to do it. The plan would be Italy - Heather having already been to the other major romantic capitals of Europe. Though I have been responsible for 90% of the logistics associated with our European travels, I give Nils 100% credit for this one - he did an amazing job booking the Italy trip down to every last detail.

What a story these two will have of their engagement for the rest of their lives. My only concern is that if I ever followed suit on the whole engagement thing Nils has set the bar pretty damn high.

Once again - a hearty congratulations to both of you. You are two of my best friends in the world, and I couldn't be happier for you. I only hope we'll still be such close friends after I'm done with the microphone on your wedding night....

The Catallactic Forum: Dawn of a New Era or Flash in the Pan?

It is Tuesday, October 24 at 1:58pm in Coventry, United Kingdom. So begins my blog.

These days it seems that everyone and their brother has a blog. Some for political reasons, some commercial and some for the purely personal. I don't presume to join the global ranks of bloggers for any particular purpose.

I could summarize the impetus behind the inception of this blog best as follows: You know that feeling you get when you're walking down the street by yourself and a thought or question spontaneously enters your mind that you just wish you could share with someone? That happened to me today. And, hence, a blog is born. (The substance of the thought is irrelevant for the moment as its significance has waned in light of the time invested to set this blasted thing up - but next time I will be ready).

It seems that the fate of most blogs is as uncertain as the fate of most people. Some become famous - their owners appearing in television news spots about the state of the economy or the integrity of world leaders. Others boast nothing more than a grainy photo of the family terrier adorned in a Santa Claus suit, posted shortly after Christmas 2001.

I suspect the future of this blog will be closer to the terrier situation. Then again, the beautiful thing about a spontaneous order is its unpredictability. You can never be sure just what it will look like down the road.