The Circus World Museum
Interestingly enough, much of the origins and folklore about circuses and clowns can be traced back to my home state of Wisconsin. A hundred years ago this year, James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum joined the Ringling Brothers to form the world famous, and still touring, Ringling Brother and Barnum and Bailey Circus. It was originally started in tiny Delavan, Wisconsin– a town loves circuses so much, that it ran precursors to modern day circuses before Wisconsin even became a state, way back in 1841.
Wisconsin has often proudly shouldered the title as the nation’s ‘conscious,’ a simple and progressive state more concerned with the welfare of its own people tan anything else. Given that, it’s not surprising that it is a mecca for all things frivolous and childish. Apart from the circuses, it is also home to the Clown Hall of Fame, housed in Milwaukee and The Circus World Museum in Baraboo.
Blood Pressure Highway
Normally a trip to the airport can be filled with many emotions. Joy of going on a well deserved holiday or sadness due to the death of a loved one that has recently passed. My trip however is not about the final destination, as that pales in comparison to the journey from the centre of the twilight zone in a beaten up Peugeot car, in a foreign land.
I have been here for one day on business and my throat is coarse and painful due to either the pollution or the water I was drinking last night. My feelings for my throat disappear faster than the old car we are in accelerates into a sea of cars. Chaos, it appears is the order of the day here. Lines that mark the lanes on the road may as well not be there as cars, lorries, busses, motorcycles and even horse drawn carts become one seething mass of motion working its way along an uneven road. Horns are the only common thread that prevails out of this madness, from small timid peeps to full blown blaring lorry horns that vibrate through my already tensing body, all choreographed in to some bizarre orchestral nightmare.
“Live” resident dragon at Houdini’s House of Magic
“Live” resident dragon at Houdini’s House of Magic; Tours
Lowlifes On the High Seas
It had been a long 48 or so hours. Our journey had begun at the Black Sea in Bulgaria where we took a ten-hour train ride from the coast to Sofia. After a couple hours layover, we departed again for Thessaloniki. After another layover, we trekked through mountains, along the coast to Athens where we spent the night. It was the Fourth of July. It ended in a blur, thanks to a bottle of peach liquor. That next morning, early, we boarded another train for Patras.
Point It
Language dictionaries can be both a help and a chore– it seems like for every word or term easily found, several more are inexplicably, as they say, lost in translation (I couldn’t help the pun). So, while some may swear by the dictionaries, I swear by another book. It is wordless, slim and fits easily in your pocket.
Ingeniously, it’s a book of pictures. It’s split into several categories and contains all of the information you’ll ever need. From sleeping arrangements to food to transportation to entertainment to, rather strangely, drugs. Instead of fumbling over your own inability to find what you’re looking for, or your own lazy, Western tongue (As is my downfall time and again), you simply turn to the page and point and what you’re looking for/wanting.
Something Over Our Heads
We landed in Venice at the peak of the tourist season: three backpackers, two sleeping bags, one tent and no hostel reservation. The decision to extend our trip from the European Juggling Convention in Athens to the coasts of Italy had been made less than 36 hours ago. Ferry tickets had been practically conjured up within a couple of hours by Yiorgos, which spoke volumes about his native persuasion skills, since getting anything done in Greece in less than half a day required no less than magic.
Our Travel Picks of The Week : 10/12/07
Travelers to Paris can now bike around the city for as little as 1 Euro a day (about $1.40 USD). These bikes, called Velibs can be picked up and dropped off at any of the approximately 1000 stations all across the city. Equipped with locks, lights and carry baskets, Velibs are just right for the environment and the budget!
Pockets, Pockets, Pockets Galore!
For any traveler, particularly one in a foreign land, ones documentation and currency are of utmost importance– and the juiciest prizes for would be thieves. There are a few ways to help protect yourself from prying eyes and fingers and this article will detail just a few.
Obviously, there is always the ubiquitous ‘travel pack,’ often times a slim carrying case worn around ones stomach, under ones clothing. I bought one once early on in my travels, and within a few days I realized that it just wasn’t for me. They’re uncomfortable and not very breathable first of all.
Swimming with Sharks in Venice
I’ve been encouraged never to place this story upon paper. Until now, I never have. A story of two travelers attempting back flips into the canals of Venice - waterways that to this day serve as an Italian latrine - is a tale I might tell often if I was but a witness, however when you are one of the characters having been submerged, the story becomes far more personal. Perhaps it’s not as bad as I’ve been told.
Bank-holiday Campers in Exmoor National Park, United Kingdom
I spent last weekend camping in Exmoor. You may laugh as it was the wettest and coldest bank holiday on record, but I can honestly say I had a great time. There is something innately satisfying about sleeping outdoors.
