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Illegitimate Englishman donated millions to U.S.: Which museum bears his name? {Gadling}
Nov 22nd 2009 3:00PM This is a fascinating story and there's much more to it. For example, his father married into the famous Percy family and abandoned his own name to adopt that of Percy as the Duke of Northumberland. James Smithson carried his mother's married name, Macie throughout most of his life, but for some reason took his father's name later. I have always found it interesting, why I don't know, that if tradition had taken its course, one of the most historic aristocratic families in England would currently be called Smithson in the Percy line, because the male line had ended before the Smithson/Percy marriage, and the famous American institution would be called the Macieian Institution. Weird, huh? The whole story of his life would make a great movie.
Drink coffee the way George Washington used to {Gadling}
Nov 20th 2009 6:21PM I have long thought about coffee consumption in the US, especially in relation to tea consumption. My thoughts were triggered by an Aussie who commented to me that Americans don't drink much tea, do they? I thought a moment and realized that it was true of hot tea, but Americans consumed huge amounts of tea with ice. The thought of tea with ice revolted him. I thought it was funny, but on further thought decided that the coffee consumption resulted from the revolution, the tea tax, and the convenient proximity to the best coffee growing areas in the world. Your post jogged more thoughts with me than you would have realized when you posted it.
Two North Korean diplomats arrested for smuggling {Gadling}
Nov 20th 2009 4:37PM I will tell you why. Because cigarettes are a little over $1. per pack in Russia. They just went through Finland. I don't know how much cigarettes are in Sweden, but I would guess at least 5 times that amount. They may even have been headed to England or any other high tax place. Get it?
Learn from Tech Crunch: get your visa early {Gadling}
Sep 5th 2009 11:49AM I have been through the pre-arrival visa process 2x before (France and Brazil) and am now waiting for a Russian visa. I resent the visa hassles for all law abiding, stable citizens of whatever country. The problem with the visa processes throughout the world is pure, simple minded bureaucracy, and no country holds the patent on that. 9/11 amply demonstrated the idiocy and failure of the US entry requirements but bureaucracy will grind on nonetheless, not only here, but throughout the world. There is also the reciprocation issue...countries do unto others as they are done to.
I am an American, and will damn sure complain without defending the mindless US immigration system. And I will also ignore the stupid, but predicted, comments about arrogant Americans abroad. On a list of obnoxious travelers, in my opinion Americans are way down the list. Just to add my own mindless nationalistic remarks since others opened the door on the issue.
Fake Canadians go home {Gadling}
Aug 31st 2009 10:52AM I agree with the thrust of the article. The Canadian flag theory is stupid and vapid. But then, I wouldn't wear a U.S. flag or any other on travels. For the compulsive bumper sticker crowd who must display some statement or allegiance, why not the flag of the country you are visiting? Again, if you have a compulsion to make public statements during your travels...
Four of the most expensive travel products you can waste your money on {Gadling}
Jul 31st 2009 2:42PM I am not sure that first class round the world ticket belongs with the other extragavant items. It is a multiple flight ticket and looks like not such a bad deal.
Amazing North Korea trip deal: Arirang for $1,000! {Gadling}
Jul 9th 2009 12:15PM I'd rather visit Cuba, but, of course, that is not allowed by our government.
7 things to leave at home on your next big trip {Gadling}
Feb 16th 2009 9:14PM This is a good topic for a change, although I don't strongly agree about the items mentioned. My own rule is to pretty much stay within what I am at home with adjustments for the logistics of travel. The main thing is, try to look as little like a tourist as possible. If you don't know what that means, look around when you travel. I do agree that the common lists of necessary items is ridiculous. Bring nothing "just in case". Any need that may arise is likely easily taken care of where you travel, unless it's a really remote place, but I am speaking of general travel not adventure, that is another matter.
Boston real estate developer begs for open Cuba {Gadling}
Feb 2nd 2009 12:02AM Good points Eva. The bottom line for me is freedom to travel where I want, when I want, without interference from my own government. Everybody in the world with the exception of our country travels to Cuba without problem. The history of the embargo, human rights here there or wherever, is beside the point. It is a political issue generated by the priveleged Cuban exiles who were deposed by Castro in toppling the more severe Batista, who was the friend of America and the American Mafia. It is probably the most shameful chapter in American foreign policy, but those "American"-Cubans in Miami carry some influence. Just ask Gore, whose pandering to them cost him the Presidency.
Would you leave The States if Obama loses? {Gadling}
Oct 27th 2008 10:21PM Vanita, we are talking about leaving the country here. Hawaii and Texas do not qualify in this discussion. France does however. Might I add that Hawaii is the birthplace of our next President?
