Souvenirs

As one whose favorite souvenirs are often a pebble from a beach (Cinque Terre) or a collection of napkins and coasters from bars and restaurants (across Europe), I find the Frugal Traveler's essay on souvenirs to echo my sentiments exactly: Souvenirs on the Road

Velvet Revolution

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the beginning of peaceful student demonstrations against communist rule in Prague, Czechoslovakia. These demonstrations culminated to become the Velvet Revolution, which achieved its ultimate goal of overthrowing the communist government on December 29.

Unfriend

Facebook has truly permeated our culture. The OED announced today its Word of the Year for 2009: "Unfriend" (or "defriend"), that is, a new verb to describe the act of breaking off Facebook connections with someone and de-linking profiles.

Antonym: to friend (someone), i.e. "Sue friended the girl she met yesterday." Also see: to facebook (someone), which is sometimes used as a synonym for friended but also implies facebook-stalking.

In other Facebook news, the social networking site now offers language options that include English (upside down) and English (Pirate).

20 Years - Die Berliner Mauer

By this hour, 20 years ago tonight, the Wall had opened and East Germans flooded into the West. They say that most simply crossed in order to say they did, in order to walk on Western streets, in order to buy something from a Western store; then, after wandering for a few hours, they crossed back over the barrier that no longer carried any meaning.

The commemorations and reflections have been almost exhaustively numerous on this historic anniversary. (Also check out the concert by the Brandenberg Gate). It was a time to remember the images of the day but also consider the boundaries and debated legacy that remain.

Lest Americans forget, Ronald Reagan's famous words were uttered more than two years before the Berlin Wall opened, and he played next to no direct role in the opening. However, his relationship with the reformist Gorbachev epitomized the thaw of the Cold War. Gorbachev did not attempt to crush revolutions, as his predecessors had, but instead embraced reform even as the hard-line East German leaders dug in their heels. Poland had already elected a democratic government, Hungary had torn the Iron Curtain by opening borders with the West, and the Czech Republic would soon follow. However, in the end, it was a mistaken word at a press conference that caused the Wall to open so suddenly, unleashing the flood of humanity into the streets of West Berlin on the night of November 9-10.

The rest, as they say, is history.

A Step Toward a United States of Europe?

... or perhaps just a breath of fresh air to make the unwieldy EU structure a bit more manageable. Either way, the Lisbon Treaty has now been signed by all 27 EU member states and may take effect as soon as December 1. The Lisbon Treaty updates the original 1992 Maastricht Treaty, which formed the European Union, and provides a permanent presidency and foreign minister.

This has been a long time in coming; the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by all the EU member states has taken almost two years--one could argue that that delay itself emphasizes the need for such a treaty. (Indeed, the origins of the Lisbon Treaty can be seen in the proposed and rejected European constitution, which goes back to 2005). Will the creation of a permanent EU presidency and unified foreign affairs activity gradually rob member states of national sovereignty, as many fear? Time will tell.

Rumblings from the Rubble of the Wall

The anniversary of the Berlin Wall's opening is fast approaching, and rumblings of memory and warning are arising in the media. Today, the Times published a column written by Mikhail Gorbachev, reflecting on the momentous year of 1989 and the results of his perestroika and glasnost. Another opinion peace warns Americans to remember the facts of the day-- the sudden opening was an accident, a mistaken word that resulting in the quintessential image of the fall of communism and (from the US perspective) the perceived American victory.

2 for $22

Don't miss Open Letter's "2 for 22" deal. Choose any of two of their books from previous catalogs and pay only $22! Get them before they're gone.

A Piece of History

The New York Times is collecting photos and stories about the opening of the Berlin Wall and individual accounts of where you were and what you remember about that historic time.

Frankfurt Book Fair

The world's largest international book fair is held every October in Frankfurt, Germany. The 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair was this past week, featuring trade publishers from around the world and open to the public October 17-18. Every year, the Book Fair chooses one Guest of Honor in order to highlight the books and literature from that country; this spot can be controversial, and has previously been awarded to Catalan culture and Turkey. This year proved tense as well; China was the Guest of Honor and, according to the NYT, seemed to exhibit its struggle between desiring Western markets but despising Western dissidents.

A (Musical) Step in the Right Direction

Can we duplicate this in the US, please?

The Boy and the Balloon

Some stories do end happily. The nation held its breath as the events unfolded this afternoon regarding a Colorado boy and an escaped weather balloon, which he was playing inside of before its tether broke loose. It was scary to think of a 6-year-old thousands of miles up in the atmosphere, but when the balloon descended without the boy inside, many feared the worst. It was a relief to come home tonight and read that the boy was actually safely on the ground the whole time.

The Passing of a Polish Hero

The last surviving commander of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Marek Edelman, died this past Saturday. The Warsaw Ghetto was established by occupying Nazis 69 years ago this month.

Simple Instructions

For the wanderers, the children-at-heart, and those who simply desire straightforward instructions to a complicated world: "Instructions" by Neil Gaiman, which will be published with illustrations in the near future. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures to share of his book signing yesterday, as the auditorium was so full that the security guards would not allow me to enter. Ah, the curse of always running late.

So instead, an image of a word for all those restless wanderers and linguistic geeks out there (courtesy of C):

Butternut Squash

I adore butternut squash. It's definitely up there on my list of favorite vegetables, after asparagus, eggplant, and artichoke, of course. I love butternut squash ravioli and Mom's butternut squash soup. However, funny thing is, I haven't the foggiest idea of how to cook with it.

At the market last week, one of the farmers brought a truckload of his butternut squash. At only 50¢ and fresh from the local harvest, I could not resist convincing myself that I'd figure out how to cook it later and buying one.

Luckily, a woman from a neighboring stall saw my distress and recommended her favorite way to cook butternut squash as a side dish. Unfortunately, she did not give proportions, but this leaves more flexibility depending on your taste for sweetness. You will need the following:


1 small butternut squash
2 Tbsp butter
1/3 cup brown sugar (more if you have a sweet tooth)
water
Oven: pre-heat to 350

1. Cut the squash into cubes, removing the skin and seeds in the process. Set seeds aside. Cubes should be no bigger than 1 inch x 1 inch x 1 inch. (If you are in a hurry, cut smaller cubes as they will cook more quickly).
2. Place squash in a pan with high sides; if cooking for one, I recommend a bread pan. Be sure to spread out the squash evenly along the bottom of the pan.
3. Cut the butter into smaller pieces and place on top of the squash.
4. Sprinkle the top with brown sugar. (This could also be a delicious dessert treat, but if so, you may want to use more butter and much more brown sugar).
5. Pour water into the pan until the tops of the squash cubes are completely covered.
6. Place the pan into the oven at 350 F for approximately 30 minutes.
7. Let stand to cool. Serve, and enjoy!

Toasted Seeds: A simple healthy snack
1. Scoop out the seeds from the squash and spread them out on a sheet of foil.
2. Place seeds on foil in oven with squash for about a half hour or until lightly browned.
3. Drizzle honey over the warm toasted seeds and enjoy.

Why We Travel

The New York Times released this project today to display photographs (and chronicle stories) from around the work.
Why We Travel (Submit your photos here)

70th Anniversary of World War II

This is a year fraught with anniversaries. Not only did the Eastern Bloc open to the West 20 years ago this year, but World War II also began 70 years ago this month.

On this date in 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Poland. Sixteen days earlier, on Sept. 1, Germany had invaded Poland; this resulted in the declaration of war and the beginning of World War II in Europe.

By early October, Germany and the Soviet Union had divided and annexed the whole of Poland. This occupation continued until 1945 when borders were redrawn. World leaders have commemorated these historic anniversaries and apologized for the past, though some may argue, not enough.

My 1989 timeline has been a bit delayed, so keep an eye out as I go back to note the events of August and Septemeber 1989.

From Oppression to Opportunity for Women Worldwide

This week, the Times published the following powerful piece on the plight of women in poor countries, the success of microfinancing when directed toward women, and what this could mean for global assistance. It's long, but well worth the read.
The Women's Crusade

Packing Woes

Packing to move to a new place. Packing up months later to move back. No matter how many times I do this, I cannot seem to fall into a routine. Every time, I end up discovering that I have more belongings than ever before. Every time, I end up trying to bring more stuff but have less space. Every time, everything seems left until the last minute.

I wish I could offer substantial packing tips, but unfortunately I'm both a packrat and a procrastinator. Best tip: Start as early as possible. Also, try playing good music to postpone the inevitable frustration.

If only I took my own advice. Now, back to the jungle of boxes and suitcases!

DC's Second-Hand Bookstores

In case you haven't noticed from all my posts about books, I adore books and I love bookstores. But beyond the large commercial chains, I'm especially passionate about independent bookstores. And I'm more-than-a-bit obsessed with second-hand/used or rare bookstores.

When traveling, I seek out such bookstores, such as Another Country in Berlin. In Vienna, I frequented Yellow Taschenbücher by the University. In New York, I was a regular at Strand. One day I will make it to the famous Shakespeare & Co. in Paris. Yes, my bookshelves are currently overflowing with more books than I have time to read, but I feel as if I come alive when I enter a bookstore to be surrounded by volumes of art and knowledge. There is so much yet to learn! (Also, seems like every time I enter, I leave with more titles that I need to add to The List).

In a tiny corner near the Eastern Market, often only found thanks to the simple sign of "Books" with an arrow, stands Capitol Hill Books. If you do not notice the faded awning, you might not even realize the name of the store that you are entering. The window is crowded with stacks upon stacks of books, almost obscuring the tiny sign that declares the place "open". Upon entering, you are at first unsure how to proceed: Choose the steep and narrow path up the stairs, crowded with tall piles of books on every step? Or take the turn to the left to stay on the ground level with a low ceiling and an unknown path ahead? A gruff voice barks out from the left: "Fiction upstairs, nonfiction downstairs!" Perhaps you peer around the corner to connect the voice with an older man at a desk that serves as a check-out, surrounded by piles of books and newspapers clipping, manually processing ever transaction with a pen and paper. Then you scamper upstairs, attempting to not knock over any of the precariously placed piles of books on the steps.


My photos of Capitol Hill books

This was my haunt in DC. Capitol Hill books only offers used books, but it is a Mecca for all bibliophiles. Once you are surrounded by your genre of choice, it is hard to suppress a childlike grin. Every title is tempting and accessible (and affordable!) and it's easy to grab a spot on the floor and start reading--just watch out for the other bibliophiles who will have to step over you to get through! The place is haphazardly arranged and feels organized by a packrat, but the character of this bookstore continues to draw patrons. You don't go to Capitol Hill Books to quickly find a specific title; you go to wander through and find a title that you never knew existed.

A bit more about the visual beauty of the place. The floor-to-ceiling books provide huge varieties but often might be precariously perched and rarely offer much space to move around. Be sure to check out the poetry room (upstairs in the back, surrounding the refrigerator and broken sink), the basement (Sci Fi, Latin American politics, Native American studies, botany, etc), and the "Foreign Language room" (a.k.a. the bathroom. Shelves of non-English books surround the toilet, but you must wait in line if someone has to use the loo).

I highly recommend Capitol Hill Books to all bibliophiles, but NOT to claustrophobics.




Also check out a couple of spots near Dupont Circle: Second Story Books, a less claustrophobic second-hand and rare bookstore; and Kramerbooks, an eclectic store of new books and a tasty cafe.

Gelato Dreamland

Last night I dreamed about Zanoni & Zanoni. Such a wonderful place, and right in the heart of Wien near Stephansplatz. So many delicious flavors of gelato, all needing sampled!

I especially miss the 2€ Blumentüte, a giant "flower cone" which could hold three scoops/flavors of different gelato. In other words, it's a student's dream. I have yet to find any gelato in America that can begin to compare.